GB2177072A - Container closure handling mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanism for removing a closure C from and replacing that closure on a container B during a container filling operation comprises a gripping assembly 2, which is actuable to grip the closure and is shiftable by hydraulic motor 13 so as to move a gripped closure between spaced apart positions where the closure is partially fitted to the container and is removed from the container. Separate drive means 17 is operable to shift the gripping assembly, when gripping a closure in the partially fitted position, in order to cause movement of the gripped closure from the partially fitted position to a position completely fitted to the container. Thus, replacement of the closure occurs in two separate and distinct stages. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container closure handling mechanism This invention relates generally to a mechanism for handling container closures, and in particularto such mechanisms for removing and replacing those closures during containerfilling. The invention is applicable to flexible bag containers having a closure valve or cap, for holding beverages such as beer, wine, and milk, and it will be convenientto hereinafter disclose the invention in relation to that exemplary application. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to that application.

Awide variety of fluids are now conveniently handled in flexible bag containers. Such containers usually have a sleeve connected to awall of a bag so asto define an opening into the bag, with a valve or cap closure being force fitted into or over the sleeve so asto close the opening.

With some containers the closure has two fitting positions on the sleeve where the closure is respectively pressed a part and complete way into or over the sleeve. During storage of these containers prior to filling, the closure is in the partially fitted position to retain the closure on the stem and generally prevent contamination of the bag interior.

Then, during filling, the closure is initially removed for dispensing a quantity offluid into the open container and thereafter replaced to a completely fitted position in order to generally seal the container against fluid leakage.

Machines have been developed forfilling these containers, mechanisms being incorporated in the machines for removing and replacing the closures.

However, sometimes these mechanisms have difficulty in replacing the closure to a completely fitted position. That can be particularly so in applications where the container is used for pressurized fluids, a substantial forced interconnection being necessary between the closure and sleeve to withstand internal bag forces tending to remove the closure. In these applications, existing mechanisms may not be able to effect such an interconnection so that correct closure placement during filling may be difficult to achieve consistently.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple closure handling mechanism that may alleviate this disadvantage of previous mechanisms.

With that in mind, the present invention broadly provides a mechanism for removing a closure from and replacing the closure on a container during a container filling operation, including: a gripping assembly actuableto grip a closure,the gripping assembly during mechanism use being shiftable so asto move a gripped closure between spaced apart positions partially fitted to the container and removed from the container; and, separate drive means operable to shiftthe gripping assembly, when gripping a closure in the partially fitted position, to cause movement of the gripped closure from the partially fitted position to a position completely fitted to the container.

The mechanism is preferably constructed and arranged for ready incorporation as a component into a containerfilling machine. In particular, some components of the mechanism and their operation may form an integral part ofthe machine and its operation, as will become more apparent hereinafter.

The machine may be substantially manual, or partial or fully automatic in operation.

The gripping assembly preferably includes a plurality of gripping membersfor releasably gripping a closure presented thereto. In a filling machine, the container will normally be located at a filling station in an orientation that presents the closure toward the closure handling mechanism. Preferably,the gripping assembly also includes an actuating unitfor effecting closure grip with and release from the gripping members. In that regard, the gripping members are preferably mounted for movement between gripping and release positions upon operation oftheactuating unit.

The mechanism is mountable within afilling machine in any suitable manner for shifting ofthe gripping assembly. Preferably, however, that shifting includes a linear shift of the gripping members at least immediately adjacent the partiallyfitted position of the closure. In this way, the closure is linearly moved toward and away from that partially fitted position along a central axis of the container opening. Preferably, the mechanism will be arranged within the machine generallyabovethe container filling station so that shifting of the gripping members will act to lift a presented closure from a container at that station and lower a gripped closure onto that container.

The drive means preferably includes a drive unit.

That unit preferably directly or indirectly carries the gripping members. The mechanism in turn is mountablewithin afilling machinethroughthedrive unit so thatthedrive unitand gripping assemblyare shifted in unison to effect movement ofthe closure between partially fitted and removed positions.

Preferably, shifting of the gripping members by the drive unit includes a linear shift. That shift is preferably along the same shift axis as, and forms an extension of, the linear shift of the gripping members adjacent the partially fitted position.

The drive unit may include a fluid actuated piston-and-cylinder drive motor. The gripping assembly may be connected to the piston for linear movementtherewith relative to the cylinder to move a gripped closure from the partially fitted position to the completely fitted position.

Preferably shift means are provided and operable to shift the gripping assembly so as to move a gripped closure between the partially fitted and removed positions.

The following description refers to preferred embodiments ofthe mechanism of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the mechanism is illustrated. It is to be understood that the mechanism is not limited to the embodiments as hereinafter described and as illustrated.

In the drawings: Figure lisa front elevational view of one embodiment of the mechanism of the present invention incorporated into a container filling machine and showing the mechanism with a gripped closure in a removed position; Figure2 is a side elevational view of the mechanism of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevational view of part ofthe mechanism of Figure 1 but showing the closure in a partially fitted position; Figure 4 is a front elevational view of part ofthe mechanism of Figure 1 but showing the closure in a completely fitted position; and Figure 5is a front elevational view of part of another embodiment of the mechanism according to the present invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is generally illustrated one embodiment of mechanism 1, incorporated in machine M, (ofwhich only a part of the machine frame is illustrated) for removing closure Cfrom, and replacing closure Con container B, during a containerfilling operation. Thatfilling operation will generally take place in machine M, of which mechanism 1, forms a component. In particular, some components of mechanism 1,and their operation may form an integral part of machine M, and its operation, as will become more apparent hereinafter. Machine M, may be substantially manual, or partially orfully automatic in operation as will be appreciated by those skilled in this art.

Container B, will generally befilled with liquid during that operation.

In this embodiment, container B, is a bag like container having sleeve S, defining opening 0, through which liquid is dispensed from machine M, into container B, for filling during a filling operation.

Opening O, is closed by closure C, which in this embodiment is a valve having tubular portion J, shaped and sized so as to push fit into sleeve S, to retain the valvethereon. During operation offilling machine M, container B, with closure C, filled thereto will normally be positively located at a filling station F, in a known manner so asto present opening 0, upwardlytoward overlying mechanism 1. This enables mechanism 1, to remove closure C, from container B, whereupon machine M, can fill container B, prior to replacement of closure C, and dispatch of container B,fromfilling station F.

Mechanism 1, includes gripping assembly 2, actuableto grip closure C, for removal from container B,to allow containerfilling and then replacement afterfilling. Gripping assembly 2, includes a plurality of gripping fingers 3, mounted for pivotable movement about respective axes 4, toward and away from each otherto gripping and release positions respectively. In that regard, each finger 3, is pivotably mounted at one end region 5, with other end region 6, being movable toward and away from each other. As illustrated, a pair of fingers 3, may be provided in opposed relationship for gripping closure C, therebetween. In this embodiment, fingers 3, are provided with arcuate gripping portions 7, at end regions 6, for extending about and engaging closure C, during gripping.However, conveniently, gripping fingers 3, may be each composed of interconnectable sections (as illustrated) so that sections including end regions 6, may be removed for substituting gripping portions 7, according to the type and shape of closure C, to be gripped therebetween.

Gripping assembly 2, also includes actuating unit 8, for effecting closure C, grip with and release from gripping fingers 3. Gripping fingers 3, are carried by actuating unit 8, by pivotably mounting thereto at end regions 5. Those ends regions 5, extend into actuating unit 8, and are selectively driven to pivot fingers 3, about axes 4. In this embodiment actuating unit may be a robotic actuatorwell known to those skilled in the relevant art. That unit 8, includes cylinder 9, housing a piston (not illustrated) movable within cylinder9, under action of a pressurized working fluid to directly or indirectly engage fingers 3, at end regions 5, to cause their pivotal movement.

Mechanism 1, is mounted on aframe of machine M, for movement of closure C, gripped by fingers 3, between a position removed from container B, (spaced from sleeve S, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) and a position where that closure C, is partially fitted to container B, (pushed a short distance into sleeve S, as illustrated in Figure 3). To effectthat movement gripping assembly 2, is mounted for linear and pivotal shifting with respect to axis 10. Axis 10, is defined by vertical mounting shaft 1 1,arranged adjacentfilling station F,forlongitudinal linearand pivotal movement relative to the frame of machine M.

Gripping assembly 2, is indirectly mounted on shaft 11, for shifting therewith between the removed and partiallyfitted positions of closure C.

Movement of shaft 11, is provided by shift units 12, 13, mounted on theframe machine M, and connected to shaft 11. Shift units 12,13 are conveniently piston-and-cylinder shift motors each having cylinder 14, mounted on the machine frame, and piston 15, connected to shaft 11. Operation of unit 12, causes pivoting of shaft 11,whilst operation of unit 13, causes linear shifting of shaft 11, so that co-ordinated (sequential and/orsimultaneous) actuation of units 12, 13, can be arranged so asto cause shifting of gripping assembly 2, to move closure C. Actuation of motors 12, 13,will be conveniently coordinated with the general operation ofthefilling machine, particularly actual container filling.

Mechanism 1, also includes separate drive means 16, operable to shift gripping assembly 2, when gripping closure C, in the partially fitted position (as illustrated in Figure 3) to cause movement of closure C, from that position to a position completely fitted to container B (pushed completely into sleeve S, as illustrated in Figure 4). Thus, gripping assembly 2, is shifted in two separate and distinct stages when moving a gripped closure C, from a removed position to a completely fitted position Drive means 16, includes drive unit 17, carried by shaft 11, through bracket assembly 18. Gripping assembly 2, in turn is connected to drive unit 17, so as to be generally suspended therefrom. Drive unit 17, is operable to linearly shift gripping assembly 2, along axis 19, which axis 19, extends parallel to mounting shaft axis 10.

In this embodiment, drive unit 17, is a fluid actuated piston-and-cylinderdrive motor having cylinder 20, housing a piston (not illustrated) from which piston rod 21,extendsforconnection to actuating unit8.

Closure C, will move only a short distance between the partially fitted and completely fitted positions and consequently drive unit 17, may have a similar short piston stroke. In that regard, unit 17, may have a piston stroke ofonly upto about 10 mm, through which the piston moves to shift gripping assembly 2.

The piston may have a diameter of between about 50 and 60 mm so asto provide a large fluid working area.

Drive unit 17, may be a pancake actuatorwell known tothose skilled in the relevantart.

Actuating unit 8, shift units 12, 13, and drive unit 17, may be operated through any suitable pressure working fluid. That fluid may be air or oil supplied through a common source through an integrated control circuit included within the containerfilling machine.

In using a machine incorporating mechanism 1, of Figures 1 to 4, bag container B, with partially fitted closure C, is initially presented forfilling at filling station F, in any suitable or usual manner. Gripping fingers 3, are moved as necessary to a release position and gripping assembly 2, shifted until fingers 3, surround the partially fitted closure C.

Fingers 3, are then caused to move to their gripping position to grip closure C. Mechanism 1,will then be as illustrated in Figure 3.

Gripping assembly 2, is then shifted relative to bag container B, by shift units 12, 13, to remove gripped closure C, from container B, to the removed position as illustrated in Figure 1. Container B, is thus open for filling with a quantity offluid in any suitable or usual manner.

Subsequently, gripping assembly 2, is shifted back byshiftunits 12,13, to replace gripped closure C, on container B, in the partiallyfitted position again as illustrated in Figure 3. During this replacement, closure C, is pushed toward container B, so that tubular portion T, enters sleeve S, a short distance so asto hold closure C, therein.

Drive unit 17, is then operated to furthershift gripping assembly 2, and thereby push gripped closure C, toward container B, so asto move container C, to the complete fitted position as illustrated in Figure 4. During this movement, tubular portion T, is pushed further into sleeve S,so asto be firmly secured therein.

Gripping fingers 3, are then moved back to a release position thereby releasing closure C, and drive unit 17, operated to shift gripping assembly 2, backto a partially fitted position. Gripping assembly 2, may then be further shifted as necessary to enable removal offilled container B, from filling station F.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is illustrated mechanism 1, similar to that of the previous embodiment except that gripping assembly 2, is modified for gripping an alternative closure C. In this embodiment, closure C, is a closure cap forfitting over sleeves S, to close opening 0.

In this embodiment, gripping assembly 2, includes gripping fingers 3, mounted for pivotal movement about axis 4, as in the previous embodiment.

However, here end regions 6, of fingers 3, are provided with hooking positions 22, so asto hook about rim R, of closure C. In addition, gripping assembly 2, includes retaining block 23, rigidly mounted on actuating unit 8, such as by bolting thereto, and extending between fingers 3, so that rim R, can be clamped between block 23, and hooking portions 22. When so clamped, closure C, is gripped for movement with gripping assembly 2, as in the previous embodiment.

Use of a filling machine incorporating mechanism 1, of this embodiment is the same as outlined in relation to the previous mechanism embodiment exceptthatgripping of closure C, occurs by clamping between hooking portions 22, and block 23, for movement.

A mechanism according to the present invention is effective in removing and replacing closures from containers even where substantial forces may be necessary to achieve that. As such, improved containerfilling be achieved. In that regard, with this mechanism there is less likelihood of a container not being readily removed from the containerforfilling thereby avoiding hold-ups in container filling.

Moreover, there is a reduced iikelihood thatthe closure will be incompletely or incorrectly replaced therebyminimising possiblefluid leakagefromfilled containers.

Another advantage of the mechanism of the present invention is that it may be incorporated into existing containerfilling machines with only minor modifications to those machines. Thus, the machines may be provided with an improved operating effectiveness through minimal expense and operating down time.

Finally, it is to be appreciated thatvarious modifications and/or alterations may be made to the closure handling mechanism without departing from the am bit of the present invention defined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims (10)

1. A mechanism for removing a closurefrom and replacing the closure on a container during a containerfilling operation, including: a gripping assembly actuable to grip a closure, the gripping assembly during mechanism use being shiftable so asto move a gripped closure between spaced apart positions partially fitted to the container and removed from the container; and, separate drive means operable to shift the gripping assembly, when gripping a closure in the partiallyfitted position,to cause movement of the gripped closure from the partiallyfitted position to a position completelyfitted to the container.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive means includes a drive unit carrying the gripping assembly, the drive unit being operable to linearly shift the gripping assembly to cause movement of a gripped closure from the partially fitted positiontothe completelyfitted position.

3. Amechanism asclaimed inclaim2,wherein the drive unit includes a fluid actuated piston and cylinder drive motor, the gripping assembly being connected to the piston for linear movement therewith relative to the cylinderto move a gripped closure from the partially fitted position to the completelyfitted position.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the drive motor is a pancake actuator in which the piston has a relatively large fluid working area and a relatively small stroke distance within the cylinder.

5. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, and further including shift means operableto shift the gripping assembly so as to move a gripped closure between the partially fitted and removed positions.

6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 5, when appended to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the shift means includes at least one shift unit operableto linearly shift the gripping assembly at least adjacent the partially fitted position of a gripped closure, that line of shift being coaxial with the line along which the gripping assembly shifts to cause movement of a grippedclosurefromthe partiallyfitted position to thecompletelyfitted position.

7. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gripping assembly includes a plurality of gripping members for releasably gripping a closure presented thereto, and an actuating unit for effecting closure grip with and release from the gripping members, the actuating unit being connected to the drive means so that the gripping assembly is carried thereby.

8. A mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container includes a sleeve defining a container opening and the closure is a closure valve having a tubular portion for fitting within the sleeve so as to close the opening, the gripping assembly during mechanism use pushing thetubularportion ofagrippedvalvepartiallyintothe sleeve upon shifting to move the gripped valve from the removed position to the partiallyfitted position, and then further pushing the valve into the sleeve upon shifting to move the gripped valve from the partiallyfitted position to the completelyfitted position.

9. A mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the container includes a sleeve defining a container opening and the closure is a closure cap for fitting over the sleeve to close the opening,the gripping assembly during mechanism use pushing a gripped cap partially onto the sleeve upon shifting to move the gripped cap from the removed position to the partially fitted position, and then further pushing the cap onto the sleeve upon shifting to move the gripped cap from the partially fitted position to the completely fitted position.

10. A mechanism for removing a closure from and replacing the closure on a container during a containerfilling operation, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.