SI26253A2 - Device for closing the container with a smoothing cap - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for closing a container with a smoothing cap, preferably for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant, comprising a nozzle (2) for applying head pressure to the smoothing cap to be smoothed, a support (4 ), which is rotatable with respect to the handle (2) around its longitudinal axis (3), the transformation arm (5, 5') which is rotatably arranged on the support (4), with the transformation cylinder (6, 6'), which is mounted on the reshaping arm (5, 5') rotatably with respect to the reshaping arm (5, 5'), to produce a shape in the side surface of the smoothing shutter, and an actuator (7) arranged on the support (4) movably with respect to the reshaping the arm (5, 5') in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3), for twisting the transforming arm (5, 5') into the transforming position, wherein the actuator (7) is formed rotatably around the longitudinal axis (3) during the triggering position, in which the actuator (7) by moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3) causes the transformation arm (5, 5') to rotate, and the idle position in which the actuator (7) does not grip the transformation arm (5, 5').

Description

Device for closing the container with a smoothing cap

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for closing a container with a smoothing cap, for example for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant.

State of the art

Beverage bottles are known to be sealed with a smoothing cap. In this case, the preformed cap is usually made of aluminum in the form of a hollow cylinder, which is closed on one side, and is put on the mouth of the container with an external thread. The side/sheath surface of the hollow cylinder of the cap is only given its final shape with the thread and optionally the edged retaining ring during the closing process, after the preform has been fitted to the mouth of the container.

For this purpose, the device, which is also called the capper head, is lowered in a curvilinear manner onto the bottle with the cap fitted, whereby the device exerts a predetermined pressure of the head on the face of the cap, corresponding to its upper side, through the handle, ensuring that the seal, which is inserted between the mouth of the container and the cap, remains on the mouth of the container after closing by sealing the cap.

For the production of the thread and flange of the safety ring or the warranty tape in the side surface of the shutter, the device has a plurality of transforming arms, which are arranged in a rotatable manner on a support that is rotatable with respect to the holder around its longitudinal axis, the arms each time having a transforming cylinder for transforming or making a shape in the side surface of the smoothing cap. Here, at least one transforming roller is formed as a threading roller for producing a thread in the side surface and at least one transforming roller is formed as an edging roller for producing a flange in the side surface of the smoothing cap. To produce the above-mentioned shapes, by lowering the actuator that interacts with the shaping arms, the shaping rollers are twisted in the direction of the side surfaces of the shutter so as to transform the side surface of the shutter each time with a predetermined force. In this case, with the rotation of the carrier, the transformation rollers roll on the side surface in a circumferential direction so that the thread is impressed by the spiral movement of the threading rollers and the protective ring or warranty tape is impressed by the circular movement of the edging rollers.

Smoothing fasteners, as mentioned above, can be made with or without a flange, i.e. with a warranty tape or with or without a safety ring. Thus, in the case of smoothing shutters, where a warranty tape or a protective ring is provided, it is necessary to grip the edging rollers on the surface of the surface of the smoothing shutter in order to press in or "edge" the warranty tape or protective ring. For smoothing closures where the above mentioned is not provided, the edging roller does not produce a flange. Thus it is known that the heads of the smoothing shutters are formed with or without the edging roller, these being suitable for machining only one type at a time, i.e. with or without a flange. When changing the processing of flanged type smoothing shutters to the processing of flangeless type smoothing shutters, the shutter heads on the shuttering machine must be changed accordingly and vice versa. This leads to correspondingly longer processing times. In addition, the shutter heads of the two types must be manufactured separately and the shutter heads of the type not in use must be stored.

It is known that said disadvantages are eliminated by activating or deactivating the edging rollers in the closing machines. Such a concept is known, for example, from patent documents EP 2 217 392 B1, EP 2 197 605 B1 or DE10 2005 023 067 A1. Such closing machines, however, do not have a closing head, as described above, but include special devices for pressing the flange on the closure.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for closing a container with a smoothing cap, preferably for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant.

The task is solved with a device for closing a container with a smoothing cap, preferably for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant with the features of claim 1. Preferred additional implementation examples follow from the dependent claims, description and pictures.

Thus, there is presented a device for closing a container with a smoothing cap, preferably for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant, comprising a lever for exerting head pressure on the smoothing cap to be smoothed, a support rotatable with respect to to the die about its longitudinal axis, a reshaping arm rotatably disposed on the support, with a reshaping roller mounted on the reshaping arm rotatably relative to the reshaping arm for forming a shape in the side surface of the smoothing shutter, and an actuator disposed on to the carrier movable relative to the transforming arm in the direction of the longitudinal axis, to rotate the transforming arm into the transforming position. The actuator is formed rotatably around the longitudinal axis between the trigger position, in which the actuator by moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis causes the transformation arm to rotate, and the idle position, in which the actuator does not engage with the transformation arm.

By this, the actuator is rotatable about the longitudinal axis between the actuation position, in which the actuator causes the transformation arm to rotate by moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and the idle position, in which the actuator does not engage with the transformation arm, it is not necessary to decide in advance whether the closing machine it must be designed to close containers with a smoothing cap by making a flange to form a protective ring or a warranty tape in the smoothing cap, or the production of a flange is not necessary.

In this way, the capping machine is not limited to being determined at the design stage to process one type of smoothing closure, i.e. the flanged type or the flangeless type, as is the case with conventional capping machines with conventional capping heads, because large differences in the interfaces between the closing machine and the closing head, which depend on the respective system. For this reason, it was not possible to simply integrate the retrofitted closing head with the switchable edging rollers in conventional closing machines.

In contrast, with the rotary actuator described above, it is also possible for existing closing machines or systems equipped with the above-mentioned device, which represents a closing head or is a closing head, to easily ensure a change during the activation of the flange for the production of a safety ring or a guarantee tape, when smoothing shutters of the type with warranty tape or protective ring are processed, and deactivating the flange when smoothing shutters of the type without warranty tape or protective ring are processed.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the actuator has an interaction section for actuating the transformation arm when the actuator is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the interaction section in the actuation position relative to the longitudinal axis in the circumferential direction is positioned at the height of the transformation arm, wherein the interaction section preferably has in the direction longitudinal axis away from the reshaping arm a rising radial extension, and/or the actuator has a recess to receive the reshaping arm when moving the actuator in the longitudinal axis direction in the idle position. This allows for an easy change between the trigger position and the idle position, and in addition, the actuator is simple in construction and easy to manufacture.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the support comprises a locking element for locking the actuator in the actuating position or in the idle position. In this way, it can be ensured that the actuator remains in the intended position and does not move undesiredly from the set position during operation. Preferably, the arresting element is formed to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In order to prevent unwanted movement of the actuator from each position, the arresting element can be held in the arresting position and/or pre-tensioned and moved from the arresting position to release the arresting. Preferably, the arresting element is held in the arresting position by means of gravity. Additionally or alternatively, a safety element can be provided, for example an elastically deformable safety element, for example in the form of a sealing ring made of elastomer and/or thermoplastic, which prevents unwanted movement of the arresting element from the arresting position. Preferably, the safety element is formed in such a way that when a predetermined release force is applied, the arresting element can be moved outwards via the safety element, whereby the arresting is released again.

It turns out to be an advantage if the arresting element comprises a protrusion or a fitting that can be brought into or out of engagement, namely with the first reception provided on the actuator, preferably a pocket-shaped reception, for receiving the fitting in the trigger position, and/ or with another reception provided on the actuator, preferably a pocket-shaped reception, for receiving the bit in the idle position.

According to a further preferred example, the arresting element is integrated into the quick-change coupling for coupling the device with the closure of the containers with the smoothing cap. In this way, we arrive at a particularly simple construction of the device. In particular, two functionalities can be ensured in this way - the coupling of the device with the shutter or a synonym for it, ..the shutter machine, and the swiveling of the actuator between the trigger position and the idle position in an arresting manner with a quick-change clutch.

It has proven particularly advantageous if the quick-change clutch has a locking member which is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis and preferably comprises a locking pin for locking the quick-change clutch in the engaged position, wherein the locking element is preferably arranged on the locking member.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the arresting element comprises the body of the ring, whereby the arresting element is formed in the form of a projection on the front side of the body of the ring, which faces in the direction of the actuator.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a receiver for receiving the arresting element in the trigger position and/or in the idle position, preferably two receivers for receiving the arrester element, wherein the first receiver is preferably a pocket-shaped receiver formed to receive the arrester element in the trigger position, and/or the second reception, preferably in the form of a pocket, is a reception formed to receive the arresting element in the idle position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transformation roll is formed as a thread roll for producing a thread in the side surface of the smoothing cap. Alternatively, the reshaping roll can also be formed as an edging roll to produce a flange in the side surface of the smoothing cap.

Preferably, the device has a plurality of forming rolls, wherein preferably at least one forming roll is formed as a threading roll and preferably at least one forming roll is formed as an edging roll. Here, it has proven to be an advantage if the device has exactly two threading rollers and two edging rollers.

A brief description of the images

Preferred further embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with the following description of the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a device for closing a container with a smoothing cap;

Fig. 2 is a schematic side detailed view of a partial area according to Fig. 1;

Figure 3 schematic floor plan along the longitudinal axis according to Figure 3;

Fig. 4 is a schematic further side detail view of a partial area according to Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a schematic floor plan along the longitudinal axis according to Figure 4;

Fig. 6 is a schematic further side detail view of a partial area according to Figs. 2 and 4;

Fig. 7 is a schematic axial movement of the actuator of the device according to Figs. 1 to 6 from the activated position to the idle position;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view from below of the actuator of the device for closing the container with a smoothing cap according to a further embodiment; and

Figure 9 is a schematic further view from below of the actuator according to Figure 8.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred implementation examples will be described with the help of pictures. In doing so, the same, similar or equally functioning elements in different images will be equipped with the same reference marks, therefore, to avoid unnecessary repetition, the descriptions of these elements will not be repeated.

Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a device 1 for closing a container with a smoothing cap, which is optionally formed for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant. The device 1 comprises a die 2 for applying head pressure to the smoothing block to be smoothed, a support 4 which is rotatable with respect to the die 2 about its longitudinal axis 3 and a plurality of transforming arms 5, 5' which are rotatably arranged on the support 4 and each have a shaping roller 6, 6' mounted on a shaping arm 5, 5' rotatably with respect to the shaping arm 5, 5', to produce a shape in the side surface of the smoothing shutter.

In the present preferred embodiment, two reforming rollers 6, which lie opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 3, are formed as threading rollers 6' for producing a thread in the side surfaces of the smoothing shutter, and there are further two further reforming rollers 6, which lie opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 3, formed as a roller 6 for edging to produce a flange in the side surface of the smoothing cap for the formation of a protective ring or a guarantee tape on the smoothing cap.

The device 1 further comprises an actuator 7, which is arranged on the support 4 movably relative to the transforming arms 5, 5' in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 for turning the transforming arms 5, 5' into the transforming position.

Actuator 7, as explained in more detail in connection with Figures 2 to 9, is formed rotatably about the longitudinal axis 3 during the actuation position, in which the actuator 7, by moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3, causes the transformation arms 5, which comprise the edging rollers 6, to rotate , and the idle position, in which the actuator 7 does not engage with the transforming arms 5, which comprise the edging rollers 6.

Figure 2 shows a schematic side detailed view of a partial area of the support 4 and the actuator 7 according to Figure 1. The actuator 7 comprises an interaction section 8 for triggering the transformation arms 5, 5' when the actuator 7 is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3.

The interaction section 8 is positioned in the actuating position relative to the longitudinal axis 3 in the circumferential direction at the height of the transforming arms 5, whereby the interaction section 8 preferably has a rising radial extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 away from the transforming arm. The radial expansion starts at the first radius r and gradually increases from it towards the second radius R, which is greater than the first radius r by a predetermined measure Ar. The actuator 7 further has two recesses 9, which lie opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis 3, for receiving the transforming arm 5 when moving the actuator 7 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3, when it is in the idle position.

Figure 3 schematically shows the floor plan along the longitudinal axis 3 according to Figure 2, whereby the reference mark 10 shows the orientation of the recess 9 visible in Figure 2 when the actuator 7 is positioned in the trigger position.

As follows from figures 1 and 2, the support 4 comprises the arresting element 11 for arresting the actuator 7 in the trigger position or in the idle position. The arresting element 11 is formed so that it is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3. According to this embodiment, the arresting element 11 is held in the arresting position shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the help of gravity. Alternatively or additionally, the arresting element 11 can also be pre-tensioned in arrest position. To release the arrest, the arresting element 11 can be moved from the arresting position against gravity in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3.

In this optional embodiment, the arresting element 11 is integrated in the quick-change coupling 13 for coupling the device 1 with the closure for closing the containers with a smoothing cap. The quick-change clutch 13 comprises a locking member 14 which is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis 3 and comprises a locking pin (not shown) for locking the quick-change clutch 13 in the engaged position, wherein the locking element 11 is arranged on the locking member 14.

The locking member 14 comprises the body of the ring or is formed as a body of the ring. The arresting element 11 is formed in the form of a protrusion on the front side of the ring body, which is turned in the direction of the actuator 7.

Actuator 7 comprises a receiver 15 pointing in the direction of the arresting member 14, for receiving the arresting element 11 in the trigger position and a further receiver 15' for receiving the arresting element 11 in the idle position, wherein the receiver 15 is for receiving the arresting element 11 in the triggering position spaced by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis 3 from the further reception 15' for receiving the arresting element 11 in the idle position.

Figure 4 schematically shows a further side detail view of a partial area of the support 4 and actuator 7 according to Figure 2, wherein the arresting member 14 and thus the arresting element 11 are moved from the arresting position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the arresting member being 14 against gravity parallel to the longitudinal axis 3 in the lifting direction 16 is raised by a predetermined distance so that the arresting element 11 does not engage with the receiver 15. Thus, the actuator 7 in the direction 17 shown in Figure 5 can be rotated around the longitudinal axis 3 from the trigger position shown in Figures 1 to 3 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a further side detail view of a partial area of the support 4 and the actuator 7 of Figs. 2 and 4, with the actuator 7 rotated to the idle position. In addition, the arresting member 14 is lowered in the direction of gravity g onto the actuator 7 so that the arresting element 11 engages with the receiver 15'. With this, the actuator 7 is arrested in the idling position. As described above, in the idle position, the recess 9 is arranged so that when the actuator 7 is lowered to the converting arms 5, 5' to the converting arm 5 on which the edging roller 6 is arranged, it receives without causing the twisting of the converting arm 5 by interacting with the actuator 7. Thus, when the actuator 7 is lowered to the transforming arms 5, 5', only the twisting of the transforming arms 5' occurs, caused by the interaction with the interaction section 8 of the actuator 7, to produce a thread in the smoothing plug, but not to edging of the warranty tape or protective ring.

As can further be seen from figure 1, the protective element is provided in the form of a sealing ring 12, which prevents unwanted movement of the arresting element 11 from the arresting position.

Fig. 7 schematically shows the yaw movement of the actuator 7 around the longitudinal axis 3 for a predetermined yaw angle 19 from the trigger position, shown with the reference number 10, to the idle position, whereby the position or orientation of the recess 9 in the idle position is shown with the reference mark 18.

Figure 8 schematically shows a bottom view of the actuator 7 according to a further embodiment, wherein the actuator 7 is located in the idle position so that the interaction section otherwise engages with the transformation arm 5', shown with a dashed line so that in the smoothing valve it can be it forms a thread, but not with the transformation arm 5, with which a flange is formed for the production of the warranty tape or the protective ring on the smoothing cap. Since the actuator 7 is in the free-running position, the recess 9 is arranged at the height of the actuator 7 in relation to the longitudinal axis 3 in the circumferential direction. The position of the recess 9 in the free-running position is again shown by reference number 10.

Fig. 9 schematically shows a further bottom view of the actuator 7 according to Fig. 8, wherein the actuator 7 is located in the actuating position. The position or orientation of the recess 9 in the actuating position is shown by the reference symbol 18. In the actuating position, the actuator 7 is rotated around the longitudinal axis 3 by an angle 19 of rotation. Thus, when the actuator 7 is lowered to the transforming arms 5, 5', the transforming arm 5 is grasped. ' as well as the transforming arms 5 with the interaction section 8 of the actuator 7. In the trigger position, the recess 9 is arranged in such a way that when the actuator 7 is lowered in the direction of the longitudinal axis towards the transforming arms 5, 5' it has no influence on the positioning of the transforming arms 5, 5'.

As far as is reasonable, all features presented in the embodiments may be combined and/or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

List of reference marks

1 Device 2 Dročnik 3 Longitudinal axis 4 Carrier 5 Transforming hand 6 Transforming roller 7 Actuator 8 Interaction section 9 A recess 10 Orientation of recess 9 in idle position 11 Arresting element 12 Sealing ring 13 Quick change clutch 14 Arrest clause 15 Acceptance 16 Lifting direction 17 Direction 18 Orientation of recess 9 in trigger position 19 The angle of twisting Mr gravity d the first radius R the second radius

Claims (6)

1. A device (1) for closing a container with a smoothing cap, preferably for closing a beverage container with a smoothing cap in a beverage bottling plant, comprising a handle (2) for applying head pressure to the smoothing cap to be smoothed, a support (4) which is rotatable with respect to the handpiece (2) around its longitudinal axis (3), the transforming arm (5,5'), which is rotatably arranged on the support (4), with the transforming cylinder (6, 6'), which is mounted on a reshaping arm (5.5') rotatably relative to the reshaping arm (5.5') to produce a shape in the side surface of the smoothing shutter, and an actuator (7) arranged on a support (4) movably with respect to to the transforming arm (5.5') in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3), for twisting the transforming arm (5.5') into the transforming position, characterized by the fact that the actuator (7) is formed rotatably around the longitudinal axis (3) between the trigger position, in which the actuator (7) by moving in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3) causes the transformation arm (5.5') to rotate, and the idle position, in which the actuator (7) with the transformation arm (5.5') does not grips. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (7) has an interaction section (8) for triggering the transforming arm (5.5') when the actuator (7) is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3), at whereby the interaction section (8) in the actuating position relative to the longitudinal axis (3) in the circumferential direction is positioned at the height of the transforming arm (5.5'), whereby the interaction section (8) preferably has in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3) away from the transforming arm (5.5') a rising radial extension, and/or the actuator (7) has a recess (9) for receiving the transforming arm (5.5') when moving the actuator (7) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3) in idling position. 3. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier (4) has an arresting element (11) for arresting the actuator (7) in the trigger position or in the idle position, wherein preferably the arresting element (11 ) formed to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3), wherein the arresting element (11) is preferably held in the arresting position and/or pre-tensioned and is movable from the arresting position to release the arresting. 4. The device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arresting element (11) is integrated in the quick-change clutch (13) for coupling the device (1) with a closure for closing containers with a smoothing closure. 5. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the quick-change clutch (13) has a locking member (14) which is movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis (3) and preferably comprises a locking pin for locking the clutch (13) for quick change in the closed position, whereby the arresting element (11) is arranged on the arresting link (14). 6. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the arresting member (14) comprises the body of the ring and the arresting element (11) is formed in the form of a projection on the front side of the body of the ring, which faces in the direction of the actuator (7).