EP4353669A1 - Capping head for a capping machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a capping head (26) having at least one movement arm (28, 30) which has an actuating section (32) for actuating the at least one movement arm (28, 30) and a contact section (42) for contacting a closure. The capping head (26) further has a control element (34) which is or can be brought into contact with the actuating section (32) of the at least one movement arm (28, 30) for causing the at least one movement arm (28, 30) to move, and a cover (48) which covers the control element (34) and the actuating section (32) of the at least one movement arm (28, 30). The cover (48) can preferably protect important components of the capping head (26) from cleaning fluid, etc.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a closing head for a closing device for closing a container.

Technical background

Closers, e.g. in the form of closer carousels or rotary closers, are known for closing containers in container filling systems. A closer can, for example, have several closer heads that can apply a closure to the mouth of a filled container. For example, the closer head can screw a screw cap onto a container or roll a roll-on closure (e.g. made of aluminum) onto a container (e.g. made of glass).

The EN 10 2020 126 257 A1 relates to a device for closing a container with a roll-on closure. The device comprises a ram for applying a head pressure to a roll-on closure to be rolled on, a carrier that can be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the ram, a forming arm that is pivotably arranged on the carrier, and a forming roller that is mounted on the forming arm so that it can rotate relative to the forming arm for introducing a deformation into a side surface of the roll-on closure. The forming roller is mounted on the forming arm via a roller bearing, preferably a needle bearing.

The EP 3 702 318 A1 refers to a capping head for closing a container with a screw cap in a beverage filling plant. The capping head comprises a gripping mechanism for gripping the container cap with at least one gripping arm pivotable about a bearing and a holding jaw arranged on the gripping arm for holding the container cap.

Conventional capping heads can be disadvantageous when there are increased cleaning and hygiene requirements, e.g. in clean room environments. Disadvantages can include, for example, poor cleanability, the use of non-ferrous metals and/or the need to lubricate the capping heads.

The invention is based on the object of creating an improved closing head with which increased cleaning and/or hygiene requirements, e.g. in clean room environments, can preferably also be met.

Summary of the invention

The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a closing head for a closing device (e.g. closing carousel) for closing a container. The closing head has at least one, preferably pivotable, movement arm, which has (e.g. each) an actuating section for actuating the at least one movement arm and a contact section for contacting the closure. The closing head further has a, preferably axially movable, control element, which is or can be brought into contact with the actuating section of the at least one movement arm in order to cause a movement, preferably pivoting, of the at least one movement arm. The closing head has a, preferably hood-shaped or trough-shaped, cover, which covers the control element and the actuating section of the at least one movement arm, preferably to protect against cleaning fluid when cleaning the outside of the closing head.

Advantageously, the cover of the capping head can enable a consistent separation of cleanable and non-cleanable areas. Essential areas of the capping head's function, such as the control element and the actuating section of at least one movement arm, can be protected by the cover. These components cannot then be exposed to the product (filling material), cleaning agents or sterilization media. This enables a simple, robust and cost-effective assembly. With appropriate seals on the cover, a reliable clean room separation can be created, for example.

Preferably, the contact portion and the actuating portion can be arranged at opposite ends of the respective movement arm.

In one embodiment, the control element and the actuating section of the at least one movement arm are sealed and/or encapsulated in the cover. Advantageously This can further support consistent clean room separation, as the essential functional elements, such as the control element and the actuating section(s), can be arranged protected behind seals within the cover.

In a further embodiment, the at least one movement arm protrudes from the cover in a sealed manner, so that the contact section of the at least one movement arm is preferably arranged outside the cover. This advantageously enables cleaning of the contact section without the cleaning fluid being able to reach the actuating section or the control element inside the cover.

In a further embodiment, the capping head further comprises a cover which is attached to the underside of the cover (e.g. by means of screw connections) and through which the at least one movement arm extends in a sealed manner, preferably decentrally with respect to the cover. Preferably, the at least one movement arm can be pivotably mounted on the cover. This can advantageously improve the mountability of the capping head, with the protected arrangement of the control element and the actuating section(s) being able to be implemented in a simple structural manner. The cover can advantageously also fulfil additional functions, such as the aforementioned pivot bearing and the underside sealing of the cover. Both can also be mutually beneficial, since spatial proximity between the seal and the pivot bearing can simplify sealing.

In one embodiment, the closing head further comprises at least one sealing device which seals between the lid and the at least one movement arm, preferably for sealing a pivoting movement of the respective movement arm, an axial movement of the contact section of the respective movement arm and/or a rotational movement of the contact section of the respective movement arm. This can advantageously further support the clean room separation explained and, for example, the control element and the actuating section(s) can be arranged in a particularly protected manner within the cover.

In a further embodiment, the at least one movement arm has an axial bearing section in which the contact section is mounted so as to be axially movable, and the at least one sealing device seals off an axial movement of the contact section relative to the axial bearing section between the cover and the contact section. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one movement arm has a rotary bearing section in which the contact section is rotatably mounted, and the at least one sealing device seals off a rotary movement of the contact section relative to the rotary bearing section between the cover and the contact section. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one movement arm is pivotable, and the at least one sealing device seals a pivoting movement of the respective movement arm between the cover and the contact section. In this way, a particularly comprehensive and long-lasting seal can advantageously be achieved.

In one embodiment, the sealing device has a bellows that expands or compresses axially when the contact section moves axially, and/or a sealing sleeve that moves axially with the contact section and/or expands or compresses axially when the contact section moves axially. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing device can have, for example, a radial shaft seal, e.g. arranged between the sealing sleeve and the contact section of the respective movement arm. In this way, a structurally simple implementation of the sealing device can advantageously be achieved while maintaining the desired sealing functions.

Preferably, the bellows and the sealing sleeve can be connected to each other, e.g. in a form-fitting manner.

In a further embodiment, the capping head further comprises a pressing device with a preferably rotatably mounted plunger for pressing the closure onto a container mouth, wherein the plunger protrudes in a sealed manner from the cover and/or the lid. The function of the capping head can thus be advantageously expanded, whereby the sealing of the components within the cover can be further ensured.

In one embodiment, the pressing device further comprises a sealing element, preferably a radial shaft sealing ring, which seals between the cover and the plunger. Preferably, the plunger can be secured axially to the cover and/or the plunger can be arranged centrally with respect to the cover. This advantageously enables a simple structural implementation.

In a further embodiment, the cover is a section, preferably (e.g. lower) end section, of a shaft, preferably a hollow shaft, for rotating the capping head, and/or the cover carries the at least one movement arm (e.g. via the lid). The cover can thus advantageously combine further functions, e.g. rotating the capping head and/or the function of a carrier.

In one embodiment, the closing head further comprises a bellows arranged coaxially to the shaft and optionally a radial shaft seal ring that seals between the bellows and the shaft. The radial shaft seal ring can preferably be secured axially at one end of the bellows (for example via a locking ring (e.g. snap ring)). This advantageously enables a structurally simple implementation and further supports the clean room separation described.

In a further embodiment, the control element is pneumatically actuated and/or the control element is a control wedge or has one, and/or the control element is arranged centrally within the cover. The pneumatic control can advantageously omit the conventional mechanical closure detection, for example.

It is possible that the pneumatic actuation or control system needs to detect or determine whether there is a closure on the container before the container enters. The reason for this could be, for example, that the closure can be pulled out of a container passing a channel and positioned on the container before it is closed. The container then runs to the closing head and is closed. However, the closing process should not start if a container without a closure arrives at the closing head (e.g. due to a towing error). This situation should preferably be detected.

For example, a, preferably inductive, sensor may be included, which is preferably arranged upstream of the container from the capping head (e.g. as part of the capping machine, preferably capping carousel, or upstream thereof). The sensor may be arranged and designed to detect whether a closure is positioned on the container (or not).

Alternatively or additionally, for example by means of a servo drive which is connected to the capping head for rotating the capping head, a change in the torque (e.g. during slow process start-up) can be used to detect that no closure is positioned on the container and a capping process can be aborted.

Alternatively or additionally, the pneumatic control can be monitored to detect the presence of a closure positioned on the container. As soon as, for example, a closure should be in the capping head or is expected, the control element can be pulled up a certain distance and pressure can be exerted on the closure. If there is no closure in the capping head or on the container, the control element moves further up. This can be detected by sensors, for example.

In a further embodiment, the at least one movement arm has a plurality of movement arms, which are preferably arranged distributed around a central vertical axis of the closing head.

Preferably, the actuating section of the at least one movement arm can be arranged decentrally within the cover.

In one embodiment, the at least one movement arm has at least one forming movement arm for forming the closure, wherein the contact section of the at least one forming movement arm is a forming element (e.g. rolling element or flanging element) for forming the closure. Preferably, the at least one forming movement arm has at least one rolling movement arm for introducing a thread into the closure by rolling onto a thread of the container, wherein the contact section of the at least one rolling movement arm is a rolling element, preferably a thread roller. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one forming movement arm has at least one flanging movement arm for introducing a flanging into the closure, wherein the contact section of the at least flanging movement arm is a flanging element, preferably a flanging roller.

In a further embodiment, the at least one movement arm has at least one gripper movement arm for gripping the closure, wherein the contact section of the at least one gripper movement arm is a holding jaw for holding the closure.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for closing containers, the device having a closing head as disclosed herein and a servo drive. The closing head can be driven to rotate by the servo drive (or servo motor). For example, the servo drive can also rotate the cover, e.g. by rotating the shaft, preferably a hollow shaft, which has the cover as an end section or which is drivingly connected to the cover. The screwing process can advantageously be controlled by the servo drive. It is possible, for example, for the closing head not to rotate when contact occurs between the closing head and the closure. After placement, the rotational movement can take place at any moment, e.g. to reshape the closure, preferably rolling and/or flanging. The speeds can then run ramps, e.g. rolling in slowly, rolling out faster and slowly, stopping, swinging the gripper arms back - the container comes out of the machine closed.

It is also possible for the servo drive to be used for what is known as condition monitoring. For example, a screwing torque of the servo drive can be recorded. Depending on the pneumatic contact pressure, an evaluation can be carried out or a system check (e.g. checking whether all bearings and seals are functioning). For example, deviations in the torque can indicate incorrect closures and can be reported. Recorded deviations can also report, for example, a readjustment or re-parameterization of the system.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a closer, e.g. a closer carousel. The closer may have a plurality of devices for closing as disclosed herein or a plurality of closer heads as disclosed herein, which are preferably arranged distributed around a circumference of the closer.

Preferably, the capper head as disclosed herein or the capper as disclosed herein may be included in a container treatment plant for producing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, closing, labeling, printing and/or packaging containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid foodstuffs.

For example, the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, flacons, etc.

The preferred embodiments and features of the invention described above can be combined with one another as desired.

Short description of the characters

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern;

Figur 2

eine Schnittansicht der beispielhaften Vorrichtung von Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine Schnittansicht durch einen Abschnitt eines Verschließerkopfs gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung; und

Figur 4

eine weitere Schnittansicht durch einen Abschnitt des beispielhaften Verschließerkopfs.

Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

a perspective view of a device for closing containers;

Figure 2

a sectional view of the exemplary device of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3

a sectional view through a portion of a capping head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 4

another sectional view through a section of the exemplary capping head.

The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The Figures 1 to 4 show a device 10 (or sections thereof) for closing containers 12.

The device 10 can, preferably together with further, preferably structurally identical, devices for closing containers 12 be included in a closer for a container treatment plant.

The closer can provide the containers 12 with a closure by means of the device(s) 10. The closer can preferably be a roll-on closer that rolls the closures onto the containers 12 and, for example, introduces a thread and/or a flange into the closures. The closer can, for example, be arranged downstream of a filling device for filling the containers 12.

Preferably, the closer can be designed as a closer carousel or a rotary closer. The several devices 10 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1 shown) can be arranged distributed around a circumference of the closer.

The device 10 has a closing head 26. Optionally, the device 10 can further have a lifting mechanism 14 and/or a drive 18.

The lifting mechanism 14 is exemplified in the Figures 1 and 2 The lifting mechanism 14 can raise and lower the device 10 and in particular the closing head 26. For example, the closing head 26 can be lowered by means of the lifting mechanism 14 to close the container 12 and/or raised after the container 12 has been closed to release the container 12. The lifting mechanism 14 can preferably have a rotatable roller 16. The roller 16 can be guided in a preferably circumferential lifting curve of the closer. A height profile of the lifting curve can thus specify a raising and lowering of the device 10 or the closing head 26.

The drive 18 is exemplary in the Figures 1 and 2 shown. The drive 18 can rotate the capping head 26 about a central vertical axis of the capping head 26. For example, the drive 18 can have an electric drive unit 20 and a drive wheel 22. The drive unit 20 can preferably be a servo motor or a stepper motor. The drive unit 20 can rotate the drive wheel 22. The rotating drive wheel 22 can rotate a driven wheel 24 of the device 10. The driven wheel 24 can, for example, be connected to the capping head 26 via a hollow shaft configuration for rotating the capping head 26. As an alternative to the drive 18, a mechanically induced rotation of the capping head 26 can be provided, for example by the driven wheel 24 meshing with a preferably rotating, stationary rack.

The capping head 26 has at least one movement arm 28, 30, a control element 34 and a cover 48, as shown by way of example in the Figure 3 is shown. The closing head 26 can further comprise a lid 50, at least one sealing device 56, a pressing device 66, a bearing body 76, a centering plate 80 and/or a (e.g. further) sealing device 82.

Preferably, at least some of the components of the capping head 26 can be made of aluminum, e.g. the at least one movement arm 28, 30, the control element 34, the cover 48, the lid 50, the pressing device 66, the bearing body 76 and/or the centering plate 80.

As described below, preferably several movement arms 28, 30 are included per closing head 26. For example, two movement arms 28 and two movement arms 30 can be included. The movement arms 28, 30 can preferably be arranged distributed around a central vertical axis of the closing head 26. However, all of the features described herein can also be used in embodiments in which only one movement arm is included (not shown in the figures).

The movement arms 28, 30 are preferably pivotable. The movement arms 28, 30 can preferably be designed as pivot levers. A pivot axis of the respective movement arm 28, 30 can preferably run essentially horizontally. However, it is also possible for the at least one movement arm to be movable in a different way, e.g. displaceable in a horizontal plane and/or along a vertical axis.

The movement arms 28 are shown in detail in the Figure 3 A lower section of one of the movement arms 30 is shown in detail in the Figure 4 shown.

The movement arms 28, 30 each have an actuating section 32 and a contact section 42. The actuating section 32 and the contact section 42 can preferably be arranged at opposite ends of the respective movement arm 28, 30.

The respective movement arm 28, 30 can be actuated to move by the control element 34 via the actuating section 32, preferably by means of a direct mechanical contact between the actuating section 32 and the control element 34.

The actuating portion 32 is arranged within the cover 48. The actuating portion 32 can be arranged at an upper end of the respective movement arm 28, 30.

The actuating section 32 can be designed, for example, as a control roller, as in Figure 3 is shown. The control roller can follow an outer contour of the control element 34. However, other, e.g. mechanical, connections between the control element 34 and the actuating section 32 for causing a movement of the respective movement arm 28, 30 by means of the control element 34 are also conceivable, e.g. by means of a control cross or by means of an articulated connection (e.g. with elongated hole loops as the actuating section 32 and connecting bolts on the control element 34).

Preferably, the control element 34 is axially movable, particularly preferably with respect to a central vertical axis of the closing head 26. It is possible that the control element 34 is guided axially on the bearing body 76.

As in Figure 3 As shown, the control element 34 can preferably be designed as a control wedge. The control wedge can rest on the actuating sections 32 designed as control rollers. An axial movement of the control element 34 can cause a pivoting movement of the movement arms 28, 30.

For example, an axial movement of the control element 34 in a first direction, e.g. vertically upwards, can press the actuating sections 32 outward. The movement arms 28, 30 can pivot such that the actuating sections 32 pivot outward with respect to a central vertical axis of the capping head 26 and thereby pivot the contact sections 42 inward with respect to the central vertical axis of the capping head 26, e.g. until they come into contact with the closure of the container 12.

On the other hand, an axial movement of the control element 34 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, e.g. vertically downwards, can cause a movement of the actuating sections 32 inwards in the direction of the central vertical axis of the closing head 26, for example guided or caused by means of (elastic or magnetic) prestressing. The movement arms 28, 30 can pivot in such a way that the actuating sections 32 pivot inwards with respect to a central vertical axis of the closing head 26 and thereby pivot the contact sections 42 outwards with respect to the central vertical axis of the closing head 26, e.g. until they come out of contact with the closure of the container 12.

The control element 34 is arranged inside the cover 48. Preferably, the control element 34 can be arranged centrally in the cover 48. The control element 34 can be aligned along a central vertical axis of the capping head 26. For example, the central vertical axis of the capping head 26 can be a rotational symmetry axis of the control element 34.

The control element 34 can be arranged inside the actuating sections 32 of the movement arms 28, 30.

Particularly preferably, the control element 34 is pneumatically operated. As for example in Figure 1 As shown, the device 10 can have a pneumatic connection 36. The pneumatic connection 36 can be arranged, for example, at the level of the drive 18 and/or above the sealing device 82. A compressed air line can preferably be connected to the pneumatic connection 36. The pneumatic connection 36 can be connected to the control element 34.

For example, a pneumatic cylinder 38 may be comprised of an axially movable control piston 40, as shown by way of example in Figure 2 The pneumatic cylinder 38 can be arranged with the control piston 40 in a drive connection between the pneumatic connection 36 and the control element 34. A hollow shaft configuration driven by the drive 18 for rotating the capping head 26 can preferably surround the drive connection between the control piston 40 and the control element 34 coaxially.

Via the contact section 42, the respective movement arm 28, 30 can contact the closure (not shown in the figures) for closing the container 12. The contact section 42 can be arranged at a lower end of the respective movement arm 28, 30, as shown by way of example in the Figures 3 and 4 is shown.

Depending on the function of the movement arm 28, 30, the contact section 42 can be designed and/or mounted differently.

It is possible that the movement arm 28, 30 has an axial bearing section 44 and/or a rotary bearing section 46.

The contact section 42 can be mounted in the axial bearing section 44 so that it can move axially. The axial mobility can preferably exist with respect to a longitudinal axis of the movement arm 28, 30. The contact section 42 can be elastically pre-tensioned, for example, for insertion into the axial bearing section 44. The axial bearing section 44 can be designed, for example, as a sliding sleeve in which the rotary bearing section 46 is mounted with the contact section 42 so that it can move axially. The axial bearing section 44 can be firmly connected, e.g. screwed, to an upper part of the movement arm 28, 30.

The contact section 42 can be rotatably mounted in the rotary bearing section 46, preferably rotatable about a central longitudinal axis of the movement arm 28, 30. The rotatable mounting can be carried out, for example, by means of rolling bearings between the rotary bearing section 46 and a shaft of the contact section 42. The axial bearing section 44 can surround the rotary bearing section 46.

For example, the Figure 3 and Figure 4 The movement arms 28, 30 shown in detail can be designed as forming movement arms with contact sections 42 designed as forming elements for forming the closure. In detail, the movement arms 28 can be designed as flanging movement arms and the movement arms 30 can be designed as rolling movement arms. It is also possible that, for example, only rolling movement arms or only flanging movement arms are included.

The two movement arms 28 designed as flanging movement arms can be arranged opposite one another, e.g. with respect to a central vertical axis of the capping head 26. The movement arms 28 designed as flanging movement arms can each have a flanging roller as a contact section 42. A flanging can be introduced into the closure, e.g. embossed, using the flanging roller. To introduce the flanging, the capping head 26 can be rotated about its own central vertical axis, and preferably the contact section 42 can also be rotated about its own central vertical axis or central longitudinal axis of the respective movement arm 28, e.g. within the rotary bearing section 46.

The two movement arms 30 designed as rolling movement arms can be arranged opposite each other, e.g. with respect to a central vertical axis of the closing head 26. The The movement arms 30 designed as rolling movement arms can each have a rolling element, preferably a thread roller, as the contact section 42. The rolling element can introduce a thread into the closure from the outside. To introduce the thread, the capping head 26 can be rotated about its own central vertical axis, and preferably the contact section 42 can also be rotated about its own central vertical axis or central longitudinal axis of the respective movement arm 30. In addition, the contact section 42 can perform an axial movement in order to create a screw or helical shape of the thread. Preferably, the contact sections 42 can be pulled out of a section of the movement arm 30, guided on an external thread of the container 12. The axial mobility can preferably be made possible by means of the axial bearing section 44.

However, it is also conceivable that the movement arms 28, 30 are not forming movement arms for forming the closure. Instead, the movement arms 28, 30 can be designed, for example, as gripper or holding movement arms for gripping or holding the closure (not shown in the figures). Accordingly, the contact sections 42 in this case can each be designed as holding jaws for holding the closure.

The exemplary in the Figures 1 to 3 The cover 48 shown covers the control element 34 and the actuating sections 32 of the movement arms 28, 30. The cover 48 can preferably be hood-shaped or trough-shaped. The control element 34 and the actuating sections 32 are preferably sealed and/or encapsulated in the cover 48. The control element 34 and the actuating sections 32 can thus preferably be protected from cleaning fluid, etc. when the capping head 26 is cleaned. The cover 48 can be arranged coaxially to a central vertical axis of the capping head 26.

On the other hand, the movement arms 28, 30 can protrude from the cover 48 in a sealed manner. Preferably, the contact sections 42 of the movement arms 28, 30 can be arranged outside of the cover 48.

Particularly preferably, the cover 48 is a preferably lower end portion of a shaft 54 for rotating the capping head 26, such as in Figure 2 and 3 is shown. Accordingly, the cover 48 can be rotated during operation, for example by the drive 18. The shaft 54 is preferably a hollow shaft. The shaft 54 can, for example, be part of the drive connection between the drive 18 and the capping head 26. The shaft 54 is preferably part of the hollow shaft configuration mentioned for rotating the capping head 26. The shaft 54 can preferably have a Section of the drive connection between the control piston 40 and the control element 34 is coaxially surrounded.

The cover 48 can serve as a carrier of the closing head 26. For example, the cover 48 can directly or indirectly support the movement arms 28, 30, the lid 50, the at least one sealing device 56, the pressing device 66, the bearing body 76 and/or the centering plate 80.

The exemplary in the Figures 3 and 4 The cover 50 shown can be attached to the underside of the cover 48, e.g. by means of screw connections. The movement arms 28, 30 can preferably extend through a respective opening in the cover 50, so that the actuating sections 32 are preferably arranged inside the cover 48 and the contact sections 42 are arranged outside of the cover 48.

The movement arms 28, 30 can be pivotably mounted on the cover 50. For example, pivot axes 52 of the movement arms 28, 30 can be mounted on the cover 50 (see e.g. Figure 3 ). The movement arms 28, 30 can be pivoted about the respective pivot axis 52. The pivot axes 52 preferably run essentially in a horizontal plane. The pivot axes 52 can be designed, for example, in the form of connecting bolts or pivot pins.

For sealing between the movement arms 28, 30 and the cover 50, a sealing device 56 can be included for each movement arm 28, 30, as for example in the Figures 3 and 4 is shown by way of example. A sealing device 56 can seal between each movement arm 28, 30 and the cover 50. The sealing device 56 can preferably enable and seal a pivoting movement of the respective movement arm 28, 30, e.g. about the respective pivot axis 52. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing device 56 can enable and seal a rotary movement of the contact section 42 of the respective movement arm 28, 30. The rotary movement can take place, for example, about a longitudinal axis of the respective movement arm 28, 30. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing device 56 can enable and seal an axial movement of the respective contact section 42. The axial movement can, for example, be an axial movement relative to the cover 50 or the cover 48.

Each sealing device 56 can, for example, have a bellows 58, a sealing sleeve 60 and/or a radial shaft seal 64. The bellows 58, the sealing sleeve 60 and/or the radial shaft seal 64 can surround a section of the respectively sealed movement arm 28, 30, preferably coaxially.

The bellows 58 can be attached to the cover 50 on the one hand, e.g. in a form-fitting manner. The bellows 58 can be attached to the sealing sleeve 60 on the other hand, e.g. in a form-fitting manner. For example, an upper end of the bellows 58 can be attached to the cover 50 and a lower end of the bellows 58 can be attached to the sealing sleeve 60.

The bellows 58 can comprise an elastically stretchable material. The bellows 58 can be axially stretchable and thus enable, for example, a sealed axial movement of the contact section 42. The bellows 58 can also enable a sealed pivoting movement of the respective movement arm 28, 30.

The sealing sleeve 60 can be attached to the bellows 58, e.g. in a form-fitting manner. For example, an upper end of the sealing sleeve 60 and a lower end of the bellows 58 can engage one another in a form-fitting manner. On the other hand, the sealing sleeve 60 can have a sealing lip 62, which can rest on the contact section 42 or on a shaft of the contact section 42. The sealing lip 62 is preferably arranged at a lower end of the sealing sleeve 60. The sealing sleeve 60 can preferably have a PTFE material or, for example, an elastic material, e.g. a relatively hard elastomer, such as a Shore 80 Viton FKM.

The sealing sleeve 60 can surround the axial bearing section 44. The sealing sleeve 60 can slide and/or expand axially along an outer surface of the axial bearing section 44 during an axial movement of the contact section 42 relative to the axial bearing section 44. The contact section 42 can rotate while supported in the rotary bearing section 46, wherein the sealing sleeve 60 can slide with its sealing lip 62 along an outer surface of the contact section 42 or the shaft of the contact section 42.

The radial shaft seal 64 can be accommodated in the rotary bearing section 46. The radial shaft seal 64 can make sealing contact with an outer casing of the contact section 42 or the shaft of the contact section 42. The radial shaft seal 64 can support the sealing by the sealing sleeve 60. The radial shaft seal 64 can seal between the contact section 42 on the one hand and the rotary bearing section 46 and/or the sealing sleeve 60.

To seal the pivoting movement of the movement arm 28, 30, the axial movement of the contact section 42 and/or the rotational movement of the contact section 42, the bellows 58, the sealing sleeve 60 and optionally the radial shaft sealing ring 64 can interact with one another.

The e.g. in Figure 3 The pressing device 66 shown as an example can press the closure onto the container 12 from above during the closing of the container 12. The pressing device 66 can preferably decouple the closure from a rotation of the closing head 26. The pressing device 66 preferably has a plunger 68 and optionally a sealing element 72.

Preferably, the plunger 68 of the pressing device 66 can be pressed onto the closure when the device 10 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 14. The plunger 68 can be secured axially to the cover 50. The plunger 68 can be arranged centrally with respect to the cover 50. The plunger 68 can be in one or more parts.

The plunger 68 can be rotatably mounted. The plunger 68 is preferably rotatably mounted in the cover 50 by means of at least one roller bearing 70. The roller bearing 70 can be designed to absorb axial forces that occur during pressing. An inner peripheral side of the roller bearing 70 can rest against an outer peripheral side of the plunger 68. An outer peripheral side of the roller bearing 70 can rest against an inner peripheral side of a, preferably central, hole in the cover 50. The roller bearing 70 can be axially secured.

The plunger 68 protrudes in a sealed manner from the cover 48 and the lid 50. The sealing element 72 can seal between the plunger 68 and the lid 50. Preferably, the sealing element 72 can seal a rotational movement of the plunger 68 relative to the lid 50. For example, the sealing element 72 can be a radial shaft seal.

It is possible for the plunger 68 to have an ejection element 74. The ejection element 74 can be accommodated in the plunger 68 in an axially movable manner. The ejection element 74 can, for example, be elastically biased downwards, e.g. by means of at least one helical spring arranged within the plunger 68. The ejection element 74 can be a disk. The ejection element 74 can be arranged at a lower end of the plunger 68. The ejection element 74 can eject an (unused) closure if it could not be applied to a container 12.

By means of the ejection element 74, the closure can be subjected to a head pressure during closing. It is possible for the device 10 to enable a head pressure adjustment. For example, the elastic preload of the ejection element 74 in the plunger 68 can be adjusted by adjusting a relative axial positioning of two parts of the plunger 68 to one another. It is also possible for elastic preload elements to be changed for preloading the ejection element 74 in order to bring about a change in the head pressure.

The e.g. in Figure 3 The bearing body 76 shown as an example can be arranged within the cover 48. The bearing body 76 can be arranged coaxially to a central vertical axis of the closing head 26.

The bearing body 76 can be secured to the lid 50 and/or the cover 48, preferably for rotation about a central vertical axis of the capping head 26. The bearing body 76 can be secured to the lid 50 from above, e.g. by means of screw connections.

The bearing body 76 can, together with the cover 50, axially secure the rolling bearing 70. The bearing body 76 can therefore also be referred to as a securing shaft.

For example, the control element 34 can be guided axially on an upper section of the bearing body 76. Preferably, a sliding bearing 78 can be arranged between, for example, a central opening of the bearing body 76 and a cylindrical, for example lower section, of the control element 34, as for example in Figure 3 is shown. The sliding bearing 78 can be inserted, e.g. pressed, into the opening of the bearing body 76. The sliding bearing 78 can be designed, for example, as a sliding bearing sleeve.

The Figures 1 to 3 The exemplary centering plate 80 shown can be attached to the lid 50 from below. The centering plate 80 can be ring-shaped, for example. A container neck of the container 12 can extend through a central opening of the centering plate 80 when the container 12 is closed.

The sealing device 82 can be arranged between the shaft 54 or the cover 48 and a separating plate 84 (only schematically shown in Figure 2 shown). The separating plate 84 can serve to separate the clean room. For example, the drive 18 and the lifting mechanism 14 can be arranged above the separating plate 84. The capping head 26 can be arranged below the separating plate 84. Preferably, the separating plate 84 can rotate together with the device 10 about a longitudinal axis of the capping device during operation.

The sealing device 82 may comprise a bellows 86 and a radial shaft seal 88, as shown for example in the Figures 2 and 3 is shown.

The bellows 86 and the radial shaft seal 88 can seal together between the separating plate 84 and the shaft 54. In this case, a rotary movement of the shaft 54, e.g. driven by the drive 18, and an axial movement of the shaft 54, e.g. caused by the lifting mechanism 14, can be sealed.

A preferably upper end of the bellows 86 can be attached to the separating plate 84, e.g. in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. A preferably lower end of the bellows 86 can surround the shaft 54. There is preferably an annular gap between the end of the bellows 86 and the shaft 54. The bellows 86 can expand axially when the shaft 54 is lowered by the lifting mechanism 14. The bellows 86 can compress axially when the shaft 54 is raised by the lifting mechanism 14.

The radial shaft seal 88 can seal between the shaft 54 and the bellows 86. The radial shaft seal 88 can preferably be arranged in the annular gap between the shaft 54 and the bellows 86. The radial shaft seal 88 can seal a rotary movement between the shaft 54 and the bellows 86.

The radial shaft seal 88 can be axially secured. Preferably, the radial shaft seal 88 can be axially secured by means of a locking ring 90, preferably a snap ring, on an inner circumferential surface of a lower end of the bellows 86. The locking ring 90 can engage in an outer circumferential groove of the radial shaft seal 88 and in an inner circumferential groove of the bellows 86.

A rolling bearing 92 can also be arranged between the bellows 86 and the shaft 54. The rolling bearing 92 can rotatably support the shaft 54. The rolling bearing 92 can enable rotation of the shaft 54 within the bellows 86. The rolling bearing 92 can be arranged above the radial shaft seal 88 within the bellows 86.

It is possible that the sealing device 82 has one or more O-rings as clamping and/or sealing rings, as for example in the Figure 3 For example, an O-ring can be arranged at a lower end of the radial shaft seal 88, e.g. below the locking ring 90, between the radial shaft seal 88 and the bellows 86. An O-ring can be arranged (axially) between the rolling bearing 92 and the radial shaft seal 88, preferably to assist in axial securing of the rolling bearing 92. An O-ring can be arranged between the shaft 54 and the rolling bearing 92. An O-ring can be arranged between the rolling bearing 92 and the bellows 86.

It is also possible that the device 10 has a head pressure spring 94, as for example in Figure 2 The head pressure spring 94 can be used to set a head pressure when pressing the closure onto the container 12. The head pressure spring 94 can be included in the lifting mechanism 14 or be coupled to the lifting mechanism 14. For example, the head pressure spring 94 can be arranged at the same height as the drive unit 20. Preferably, the head pressure spring 94 can be arranged above the separating plate 84. In cases where a change to a different closure format is to be made, only the closing head 26 can be exchanged, but the head pressure spring 94 (and other components of the device 10) can continue to be used. It is also possible to change the head pressure spring 94 to change the head pressure.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the subclaims independently of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the subclaims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and/or configuration of the at least one movement arm, the control element and/or the cover of independent claim 1. List of reference symbols 10 Device for closing 54 Wave 12 container 56 Sealing device 14 Lifting mechanism 58 Bellows 16 Roller 60 Sealing sleeve 18 drive 62 Sealing lip 20 Drive unit 64 Radial shaft seal 22 drive wheel 66 Pressing device 24 driven wheel 68 Plungers 26 Closing head 70 roller bearing 28 Movement poor 72 Sealing element 30 Movement poor 74 Ejector element 32 Operating section 76 Bearing body 34 Control 78 bearings 36 Pneumatic connection 80 Centering plate 38 Pneumatic cylinder 82 Sealing device 40 Control piston 84 Divider plate 42 Contact section 86 Bellows 44 Axial bearing section 88 Radial shaft seal 46 Rotating bearing section 90 Retaining ring 48 cover 92 roller bearing 50 Lid 94 Head pressure spring 52 Swivel axis

Claims (15)

Closing head (26) for a closer for closing a container (12), comprising: at least one, preferably pivotable, movement arm (28, 30) having an actuating portion (32) for actuating the at least one movement arm (28, 30) and a contact portion (42) for contacting the closure; a control element (34), preferably axially movable, which is or can be brought into contact with the actuating section (32) of the at least one movement arm (28, 30) for causing a movement, preferably pivoting, of the at least one movement arm (28, 30); and a cover (48), preferably in the shape of a hood or a trough, which covers the control element (34) and the actuating section (32) of the at least one movement arm (28, 30), preferably for protecting against cleaning fluid during external cleaning of the closing head (26). Closing head (26) according to claim 1, wherein:
the control element (34) and the actuating section (32) of the at least one movement arm (28, 30) are sealed and/or encapsulated in the cover (48). A capping head (26) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein:
the at least one movement arm (28, 30) protrudes from the cover (48) in a sealed manner, so that the contact section (42) of the at least one movement arm (28, 30) is arranged outside of the cover (48). Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a cover (50) which is attached to the underside of the cover (48) and through which the at least one movement arm (28, 30) extends in a sealed manner, preferably decentrally with respect to the cover (50), wherein preferably the at least one movement arm (28, 30) is pivotally mounted on the cover (50). Closing head (26) according to claim 4, further comprising:
at least one sealing device (56) which seals between the cover (50) and the at least one movement arm (28, 30), preferably for sealing a Pivoting movement of the respective movement arm (28, 30), an axial movement of the contact section (42) of the respective movement arm (28, 30) and/or a rotational movement of the contact section (42) of the respective movement arm (28, 30). Closing head (26) according to claim 5, wherein: the at least one movement arm (28, 30) has an axial bearing section (44) in which the contact section (42) is mounted so as to be axially movable, and the at least one sealing device (56) seals an axial movement of the contact section (42) relative to the axial bearing section (44) between the cover (50) and the contact section (42); and/or the at least one movement arm (28, 30) has a rotary bearing section (46) in which the contact section (42) is rotatably mounted, and the at least one sealing device (56) seals a rotary movement of the contact section (42) relative to the rotary bearing section (46) between the cover (50) and the contact section (42); and/or the at least one movement arm (28, 30) is pivotable and the at least one sealing device (56) seals a pivoting movement of the respective movement arm (28, 30) between the cover (50) and the contact section (42). A capping head (26) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the sealing device (56) comprises: a bellows (58) which expands or compresses axially during an axial movement of the contact section (42); and/or a sealing sleeve (60) which moves axially with the contact section (42) during an axial movement of the contact section (42) and/or axially expands or compresses; and/or a radial shaft seal (64). Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a pressing device (66) with a preferably rotatably mounted plunger (68) for pressing the closure onto a container mouth of the container (12), wherein the plunger (68) protrudes from the cover (48) in a sealed manner. Closing head (26) according to claim 8 and one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the pressing device (66) further comprises: a sealing element (72), preferably a radial shaft sealing ring, which seals between the cover (50) and the plunger (68), where preferably: the plunger (68) is axially secured to the cover (50); and/or the plunger (68) is arranged centrally with respect to the cover (50). Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the cover (48) is a section, preferably an end section, of a shaft (54), preferably a hollow shaft, for rotating the closing head (26); and/or the cover (48) carries at least one movement arm (28, 30). Closing head (26) according to claim 10, further comprising: a bellows (86) arranged coaxially to the shaft (54); and a radial shaft seal (88) which seals between the bellows (86) and the shaft (54), wherein preferably the radial sealing ring (88) is secured axially at one end of the bellows (86). Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the control element (34) is pneumatically operated; and/or the control element (34) is or comprises a control wedge; and/or the control element (34) is arranged centrally within the cover (48). Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein:
the at least one movement arm (28, 30) has a plurality of movement arms (28, 30) which are preferably arranged distributed around a central vertical axis of the closing head (26). Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one movement arm (28, 30) comprises:
at least one forming movement arm (28, 30) for forming the closure, wherein the contact section (42) of the at least one forming movement arm (28, 30) is a forming element for forming the closure, wherein preferably the at least one forming movement arm (28, 30) has: - at least one rolling movement arm (30) for introducing a thread into the closure by rolling onto a thread of the container (12), wherein the contact section (42) of the at least one rolling movement arm is a rolling element, preferably a thread roller; and/or - at least one flanging movement arm (28) for introducing a flanging into the closure, wherein the contact section (42) of the at least one flanging movement arm is a flanging element, preferably a flanging roller. Closing head (26) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one movement arm (28, 30) comprises:
at least one gripper movement arm for gripping the closure, wherein the contact portion (42) of the at least one gripper movement arm is a holding jaw for holding the closure.

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