ES2249949B1 - SEALING DEVICE FOR DRINK CANS AND EXECUTION METHOD. - Google Patents

Abstract

It comprises a layer of plastic material (6), peelable, bonded on the top of the beverage can (10), covering the opening ring (12), and extending until before the bottom edge of a conical surface ( eleven). The plastic material is projected onto the beverage can (10) by means of spray nozzles (1) arranged in the chamber (9) of a head (13) capable of being coupled to the upper part thereof. Prior to spraying, a cleaning is performed consisting of blowing compressed air and aspirating the residue through blow and suction lines (3). Curing can be carried out at room temperature or by the heat input of a heating element (5). A cleaning cylinder (7) moves through the interior of the chamber (9) by dragging the adhered material to the walls. Additionally, sterilization of the pores that could remain in the layer of plastic material (6) can be carried out by ultraviolet radiation.

Description

Sealing device for beverage cans and method of execution

The present invention relates to a device that incorporated into the beverage cans ensures maximum degree of hygiene in its consumption, by avoiding the presence of dirt until the opening of the can. The device is incorporates through an embodiment method that makes use of a device specially adapted to this function.

Background of the invention

Canned drinks constitute a product whose usage has extended considerably in recent years given the solidity of the container and the fact of not needing utensils specific for opening.

However, this same success that makes can be found anywhere, causes a transport long and sloppy storage which ultimately determines a product that presents a considerable degree of dirt.

Some attempts have been made to protect the cans during storage and transport, ranging from the encapsulated in groups until the adoption of individual tapas coupled by a shape adjustment. These systems have not given result since, although they protect the surface of the can of gross deposits of dirt cannot prevent the development of bacteria in the cavity that remains between the protective element and the can. In fact, these cavities, closed and subjected to the heat and light action constitute an excellent space for proliferation of all types of microorganisms that can be more harmful to health than the visible dirt itself.

Attempts are also known to make disappear the mentioned cavities by using plastic sheets coated with an adhesive. One such solution, that it can be relatively effective on smooth surfaces, it has clearly proved insufficient to protect areas from opening of beverage cans, when presenting these flanges, semiperforated, tabs, rings, rivets and all kinds of irregularities that make the correct adaptation of a Self-adhesive sheet over this area of the can.

It is an objective of the present invention the have a protective device for beverage cans that presenting perfect adhesion and adaptation to them, allow easy and one-time removal.

Description of the invention

The proposed objective is achieved through incorporation in the top of the can of a layer of plastic material perfectly adhered and adapted to the surface of it and capable of being removed with a single pull.

Said layer is deposited by a process of spraying and curing, either at room temperature, or by The express application of heat.

In order to ensure perfect adhesion from the layer to the different elements (tabs, rings) present In the opening area of the can, an operation is required previous cleaning and drying of it, vacuuming and eliminating any trace of dust or moisture.

After curing, it may be convenient subject the product to the action of ultraviolet radiation to get an additional sterilized pores that might have remained during the manufacturing process.

The whole process is done in a single apparatus, which can be incorporated into the assembly line itself and comprising a cylindrical inner surface head provided of spray nozzles of plastic material, ducts air blowing and suction, material recovery ducts not adhered, heating element and sealing means. A cleaning cylinder travels along the surface inner cylindrical head, which in turn is movable for lean on the cans temporarily configuring a camera sealed in which the process of forming the protective device on the can.

The end result is a layer of material protective plastic deposited and solidified on the part top of the beverage cans, which fits perfectly to the rings, tabs and other opening devices, without leaving cavities that could be the focus of the development of harmful germs. This layer is peelable, that is, it can be removed from a single pull, leaving no residue that could constitute elements pollutants

The head of the encapsulation apparatus should adapt to the diameter and shape of the can, in order to ensure a perfect seal and coating of the same until a Convenient point that will be depending on the design. So, he could check that in the case of cans that have a surface Conical, the layer of plastic material should not exceed its edge lower in order to prevent an untimely detachment of the edge.

The protection device of the invention it has numerous advantages over other preceding embodiments Among which we can mention:

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A perfect adhesion, due to the process followed in its realization.

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A high elasticity, due to the process and materials used, which allows to ensure adhesion despite variations in temperature.

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Peelable with one pull, without leaving residues adhered in the opening area of the can.

Brief description of the drawings

To complement the description above and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention a detailed description of a preferred embodiment, based on a set of drawings that accompany this descriptive report, and where with character merely indicative and not limiting, what has been represented next.

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the head, coupled on top of the can.

Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the head, with the cleaning cylinder in low position.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the head removed from the can, on which the device is appreciated of protection in the form of a layer of plastic material accomplished.

In these figures the numerical references correspond to the following parts and elements:

one.

Spray nozzles

2.

Feeding.

3.

Blow duct and aspiration.

Four.

Recovery duct

5.

Heating element.

6.

Cap of plastic material.

7.

Cylinder cleaner.

8.

Sealing means.

9.

Camera.

10.

Can of drink

eleven.

Conical surface

12.

Ring.

13.

Head, chief, engine head.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

As can be seen in figure 3, the device drink can protector (10) consists of a layer of plastic material (6), perfectly adhered and adapted to the upper surface of the beverage can (10), covering the opening elements such as the ring (12), and extending by a conical surface (11) without exceeding its lower edge.

In this way the upper surface of the can of drink (10), which contains the future opening for consumption, remains clean of any type of dirt until the moment of its use, in which it is enough to pull the layer of material plastic (6) so that it comes off, and that due to its Peelable feature may be removed without leaving residue.

To perform the device to protect the invention just described there is an apparatus available consistent, as can be seen in figures 1, 2 and 3, in a head (13), with a cylindrical inner surface, which when applied against the can of drink (10) configure a camera (9) that remains fully closed thanks to the action of sealing means (8). These preferably consist of simple O-rings of rubber. Inside the chamber (9) a plurality are arranged of spray nozzles (1) to project the material plastic that is received through a feeding duct (2) on the beverage can (10), presenting the head (13) ducts Blow and suction (3) and recovery ducts (4). Finally on the inner cylindrical surface of the head (13) a heating element (5) is arranged, this surface being liable to be swept by a cleaning cylinder (7) that axially and concentric shifts to it. Not have represented the necessary hydraulic or pneumatic means of displacement, both of the head (13) with respect to the beverage can (10) as of the cleaning cylinder (7) with respect to the head itself (13), which are conventional and well known by the skilled.

The method of realization of the device Protection object of the invention comprises the steps of:

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Cleaning; consisting of the injection of compressed air through blow and suction ducts (3), dried by the heating element (5) and aspirated from the residue through the blow and suction ducts (3).

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Plastic material projection a through a plurality of spray nozzles (1).

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Recovery of plastic material no adhered through the recovery ducts (4), for its subsequent use

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Cured of the layer of plastic material (6) by heat input by the heating element (5).

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Sterilization of the pores that could having been between the layer of plastic material (6) and the surface of the beverage can (10) by radiation ultraviolet.

As for the industrial realization of the object of the invention it will be necessary to use various means product storage aids, feed hoppers, control devices etc, which have not been described since, being conventional, will be well known by the expert in the matter.

The material preferably used has been the polyethylene, supplied at temperatures between 40 ° C and 90 ° C and with curing temperatures close to 165 ° C, which leads to times hardening less than 3 seconds. Under these conditions the layer of plastic material (6) deposited is 0.4 mm thick, approximately, which allows to obtain the proposed objectives of adhesion, elasticity and ease of peeling.

Good results are also obtained with the use of polyamides.

Depending on the plastic material used, you can vary the number and arrangement of spray nozzles (one).

Curing can also be done at room temperature.

The ideal place to install the system protective projection object of the invention within the chain canning is between the placement of the plastic rings that set up groups of beverage cans (10) and final packaging of them in plastic film.

Claims (13)

1. Protective device for beverage cans (10) characterized by comprising a layer of plastic material (6), peelable, adhered on the upper surface of the beverage can (10). 2. Protective device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic material is polyethylene. 3. Protective device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of the polyethylene layer is 0.4 mm. 4. Protection device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plastic material is polyamide. 5. Protective device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the case that the can (10) has a conical surface (11), the layer of plastic material (6) does not reach the lower edge of said conical surface (11). 6. Apparatus for making a protection device for beverage cans (10) characterized by comprising

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a head (13) provided with an inner cylindrical surface that set up a chamber (9), spray nozzles (1), ducts blow and suction (3) and recovery ducts (4).

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a heating element (5) arranged on the cylindrical surface inside of the head (13).

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media sealing (8) arranged on the inner edge of the surface  inner cylindrical head (13).

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a cleaning cylinder (7) concentric with the cylindrical surface inside the head (13), with respect to which it can move axially

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media of displacement of the head (13) with respect to the can (10) and the cleaning cylinder (7) with respect to the head itself (13).

7. Apparatus for making a protective device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing means (8) consist of rubber o-rings. 8. Method of execution of a protection device for beverage cans (10) characterized by comprising the steps of;

to)

cleaning, consisting of injection of compressed air through blow and suction ducts (3), drying by heat input of a heating element (5) and aspiration of the residue through blow ducts and aspiration (3),

b)

projection of plastic material to through a plurality of spray nozzles (1),

C)

plastic material recovery no adhered to the can (10) through recovery ducts (4),

d)

Cured plastic layer (6) projected

9. Method of execution of a protection device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the plastic material sprayed in the projection stage is polyethylene. 10. Method of execution of a protection device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the plastic material sprayed in the projection stage is polyamide. 11. Method of execution of a protection device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the curing step is carried out by means of heat input from a heating element (5). 12. Method of execution of a protection device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the curing step is carried out at room temperature. 13. Method of execution of a protection device for beverage cans (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that a sterilization step by ultraviolet radiation is added.