WO2002070394A1

WO2002070394A1 - Method and device for closing containers

Info

Publication number: WO2002070394A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/002017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Dieter Dubs
Original assignee: Alcoa Deutschland Gmbh Verpackungswerke
Priority date: 2001-03-08
Filing date: 2002-02-26
Publication date: 2002-09-12
Also published as: DE10111084A1; DE10111084B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for closing containers, especially bottles or cans, by means of a closure comprising a sealing insert and a closing element. According to the invention, a substance, particularly liquid, is poured into the container and said substance is covered by the sealing insert and closed with the aid of the closure. The invention is characterised in that the sealing insert (13) is placed on the opening area (3), the inside (43) of the container (1) is impinged upon by low pressure, and the closing element (15) is placed on the opening area (3).

Description

Method and device for closing containers

Besehreibung

The invention relates to a method for closing containers, in particular bottles or cans, and a device for closing. of containers according to the preamble of claim 24.

Methods and devices of the type mentioned here are known. It is known in particular to use closures when closing containers, which have a sealing insert and a closure element, for example a closure cap. After the container has been filled, ^■ the sealing ^{insert is} first placed on its mouth area and only then the sealing cap, which then fixes the sealing insert on the mouth area. This procedure is chosen because when the closure cap is put on without the prior insertion of a sealing insert, oxygen is frequently introduced into the interior of the container, which jeopardizes the durability of the contents of the container. It is often happened that the Dichtungseinalge has slipped during the closing operation, so that in spite of everything was introduced while placing the closure cap even in the oxygen. Interior of the container ". ^''

The object of the invention is. therefore to provide a method ^'and a- apparatus ^■ for .Verschließen of containers which do not have these Nachteil-. To achieve this object, a method for closing containers is proposed, which has the features mentioned in claim 1. It is characterized by the fact that after the sealing insert has been placed on the mouth region of the container to be closed, a vacuum is applied to the interior thereof, so that the sealing insert is held securely until it is finally fixed by the closure element. It is thus virtually ruled out that oxygen is introduced into the interior of the container when placing the closure element, in particular a ^'cap.

An embodiment of the method is particularly preferred which is characterized in that the negative pressure is generated in a simple manner: the container is reversibly deformed after filling and only then is the sealing insert put on. When the container is deformed, air is pressed out of its mouth. Thereafter, the deformation is at least partially canceled again, as a result of which a negative pressure is generated in the interior of the container, with the aid of which the sealing insert is held on the mouth region, quasi sucked in. Even without any special fasteners or holders, the gasket is in the mouth area of the ^'container secure fit, so that the further closing process easily executable is.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the method is preferred, in which it is provided - the container, at least its mouth region - after it has been put on clean the sealing insert. During this process step, the sealing insert is held securely on the mouth area by the negative pressure and cannot slip. As a result, no cleaning agent can penetrate into the interior of the container. In addition, the mouth region of the container immediately adjacent to the sealing insert is effectively cleaned, so that when the closure element, in particular a closure cap, is put on, no residual contents are enclosed in the mouth region between the closure element and the outer surface of the container, which could endanger a user. In addition, it is avoided that the closure sticks to the container and this results in high opening values, ie high forces when opening the container.

Further embodiments of the method result from the remaining subclaims.

To achieve the stated object, a device is also proposed which has the features mentioned in claim 24. It is characterized in that a deformation element which interacts with the container to be filled is provided. This serves to deform the container after filling in such a way that the enclosed volume is reduced. Will the _. Deformation after placing a sealing insert on the mouth area of the container is removed, the above-mentioned negative pressure is built up. It turns the rest ^'both in the process than in .the even when the device • additional advantage one:' When will deform the .Behälters between Mouth area and filling material available air space, which ^• reduces or even completely eliminates so-called head space, so that oxygen that is still present here is displaced from the interior of the container. After the sealing insert has been put on and after the at least partial removal of the deformation, a negative pressure is created in the mouth area, which tightly sucks the sealing insert onto the mouth area so that no more oxygen can penetrate into the interior of the container.

Further configurations of the device result from the remaining subclaims.

The invention is explained below with reference to the drawing, which comprises a figure. This shows a schematic diagram of a container to be filled in a side view 'with a closure arranged above it in an exploded view.

The container 1 shown in side view ^' is, for example, a bottle with a. Screw cap. This has a muzzle area 3. Underneath the mouth area on the outer surface of the container 1 there are threaded projections 7, which form an external thread. Below the thread projections 7 is on - the Au ßenfläche 5 of the container 1, an encircling collar 9 is provided, which serves among other things, to take the ^'bottle during filling and to fix.

A closure is located above the mouth region 3

11 shown, the • a sealing insert 13 and a. Sealing cap element 15 u holds. This has a bottom 17, from which an annular jacket 19 extends, on the inside of which are indicated threaded projections 21 for forming an internal thread. They are designed so that they mesh and interact with the threaded projections 7 on the outer surface 5 of the container 1.

At the lower edge of the casing 19 there is a customary guaranteeing 25, which is connected to the casing 19 via webs 23 and which is opened when the container 1 is opened for the first time, that is to say when the closure 11 is unscrewed, so that a consumer tampering with Can detect the closure of the container.

The sealing insert '13 can be designed as a flat disc, which is selected to be large enough to completely span the mouth region 3 of the container 1 and preferably to protrude slightly beyond it. Which is provided as closure element cap 15 is in turn designed so that it is placed on the sealing insert 13 and above the mouth portion 3 and in a suitable manner, ^'here by the thread projections 7 and 21 to the container. 1 is attached.

In the illustrated embodiment, • the seal insert 13 formed specially .. It has a cylindrical projection 27, whose size is selected so that the gasket 13 when placed onto the mouth region ^'3 Si rather holds. The cylindrical approach 27 will. ei ^¬ horizontally extending ring 29 is surrounded NEM, which rests on the edge 31 of the mouth region 3. Finally, on the outside of the ring 29, a downwardly angled edge region 33 arises, which spans a region of the outer surface 5 adjoining the mouth region 3 when the sealing insert 13 is placed on the container 1. It is thus possible with such a configuration of the sealing insert 13 to ensure both an inner seal through the attachment 27 and a side seal through the edge region 33 when the sealing insert 13 is placed on. Finally, a seal can also be ensured in the upper region of the edge 31 of the container , which is referred to as a top side seal.

The sealing insert 13 shown in the figure thus has a holding device in that the cylindrical extension 27 is provided. In addition, the sealing insert 13 also holds by the peripheral edge region 33, so that the cylindrical extension 27 could be dispensed with, in particular if the edge region 33 is pronounced.

The gasket 13 may also include a relatively thin, the mouth region 3 overvoltage horizontal ^'include nenden area which is surrounded by a sealing ring. This provides a AUSS ^'endichtung of the mouth portion 3 of the container 1 securely, when the closure member is mounted 15 °. The sealing ring here has a height which is a multiple of the thickness of the area of the sealing insert spanning the mouth area. 3, and a thickness which is also greater than the thickness in the area enclosed by the sealing ring. ^' ■ ^■ The container 1 shown here has a customary bottle shape. The outer surface 5 here comprises a ^■ cylindrical wall area 35 which extends to the bottom 37 of the bottle or the container 1. The design of the container 1 is of minor importance ^¬. It is essential that it consists at least in regions of a reversibly deformable material. In the figure, the undeformed shape of the container 1 is shown with solid lines and with dashed lines 39 a state in which the wall area 35 is deformed by forces acting from the outside, which are indicated by an arrow 41.

It is essential in the deformation provided here that the volume of the interior 43 of the container 1 is reduced.

In the figure, the level is indicated by a dashed line 45, which a substance filled into the container 1 assumes when the wall region 35 is not deformed. By a . dotted line 47 indicates that ver _. For wall area 35 the level shifts in the direction of the mouth area ^• 3. The free space between the mouth area 3 and the substance filled into the container, the so-called head space, is thus used when the

'holder 1, namely when pressing in the wall area

35, reduced. It is possible to adjust the deformation to the degree of filling of the container 1 in such a way that the level of the introduced into the container 1. Substance. ^{'' reached} the ^' mouth area 3, so that the head volume is reduced to zero. The deformation of the container 1 can be done in different ways. In a device for closing containers, a deformation element 47 can therefore be provided which, as indicated by an arrow 49, can be displaced relative to the container 1 and, if necessary, acts on its outer wall, here on the wall region 35, and this direction of the arrow 41 deformed. How the deformation is ultimately caused is not of decisive importance. It is therefore possible to guide the container 1 within a filling system along a fixed rail with a projection which projects into the path of movement of the container 1 and deforms the wall region 35 thereof. In order to avoid frictional forces, the deformation element 47 can be designed as a roller both in the fixed and in the movable case.

How the movement of the deformation element 47 is effected is of secondary importance for the method for closing containers. It is therefore possible to couple the deformation element 41 to a suitable movement drive, be it an eccentric or an electric drive motor. Pneumatic or hydraulic drive means are also conceivable which move the deformation element 47 back and forth in accordance with the arrow 49 ^' .

The procedure for closing containers is discussed in more detail below. ,,,

The container 1 is filled with any substance that can be in a liquid, but also in a solid comprising good that is preferably free-flowing. The container 1 is filled, for example, until the dashed line 45 is reached. Now the container 1 is reversibly deformed. The figure shows an example that the wall area 35 is pressed in with the aid of a deformation element 47, so that the volume of the interior 43 is reduced and the upper level of the filled substance reaches, for example, the dotted line 47. This reduces the volume between the content and the mouth area 3, the so-called head volume. It is also possible to deform the container 1 to such an extent that the container content reaches the mouth area 3. In the case of liquids, this can also emerge from the mouth area when the container is deformed. In the case of carbonated content, for example in the case of beer, it is preferably ensured that the foam, the filled-in liquid emerges from the mouth area 3 and thus forms a foam crown projecting beyond the mouth area 3. This ensures that oxygen is displaced from the head volume and introduced no oxygen -in the interior of the container when placing a sealing insert ^'is.

Now the sealing insert 13 is placed on the mouth area 3 and the deformation of the container 1 is at least partially reversed by reducing or eliminating the deformation forces acting on the container 1. Due to the elasticity, and the restoring force of the reversibly deformed container wall, a vacuum is now ^'aufgebaut- holding the Dichtungseinläge securely on the mouth portion 3 even if this as flat Is formed disc and is therefore not contoured as is the case with the embodiment shown in the figure. Now the closure element 15, here the closure cap 5, is placed on the container 1, as a result of which the sealing insert 13 is securely fixed on the mouth region 3.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the negative pressure in the interior of the container 43 is reduced

10 after the sealing insert 13 has been put in place, in that a reversible deformation after the end of the mouth region 3 is at least partially canceled out by the sealing element 13 and by the force of its original position

15 resilient wall areas 35, a negative pressure is built up. The negative pressure in the container 1 can also be generated by cooling a heated substance introduced into the container. However, it is possible by a not shown here

20 -separate access to the interior 43 'in the container 1, for example by means of a suitable vacuum source, to build up a vacuum after the sealing insert 13 has been put on. The procedure explained with reference to the figure, namely the

25. Deformation of the container before the sealing insert 13 is put on, but is particularly simple and inexpensive to implement.

, Characterized ,, that the sealing insert 13 is securely held by the negative pressure on the mouth portion 3 of the loading 30 hälters-- 1, it is possible for ^'up set of the sealing insert 13 has a ^{Reinigungsvor-'} gang be performed, the relationship of the vessel 1 - as to clean the outer surface 5 at least near the mouth area 3. In the figure, a cleaning nozzle 51 is indicated, with which a cleaning liquid can be sprayed onto the container 1, in particular onto the areas surrounding the mouth area 3, here threaded projections 7. The cleaning liquid can of course also be sprayed on from above or from several sides.

It is essential that the cleaning process removes ingredients, in particular from the mouth area 3 or from the outer surface 5 in the area of the threaded projections 7, so that when a closure element 15 designed as a closure cap is put on it cannot be included and spoil. In addition, the cap cannot stick to the container.

The content filled into the container 1 will therefore be distinguished by a particular durability in the method described here. On the one hand, due to the deformation of the container 1, the head volume, which is also referred to as the head space, is at least partially reduced to zero, so that there is no more oxygen in the interior 43. This leads to an improved durability. Characterized in that ingredients of the surrounding outer surface 5 are removed from the mouth region, respectively, also no bacteria or fungi can form the disadvantages first opening of the container 1 but egg NEN ^'consumer jeopardize its contents or. In addition, ^'sticking of the shutter is avoided with the container, so that there are no increased opening values.

In the case of thin-walled containers 1 in particular, it is advantageous if they are stabilized by an overpressure in the interior 43 after the closure. It is therefore possible to introduce, for example, liquid nitrogen before the sealing insert 13 is put on, which after the final closure of the container 1 provides an increased nitrogen volume and an internal pressure which stabilizes the container 1.

If the contents of the container 1 are carbonated, it is instead or additionally possible to shake or shake the container 1 after filling, or to set the contents in motion in some other way in order to create an increased internal pressure in the container 1 by exiting C0 ₂ .

It is essential that the container 1 is only shown here as a bottle. It is very possible to also close the mouth area 3 of a can with the aid of the method described here and the device explained here. After the can has been filled, a sealing insert which is adapted to its mouth region is applied and is then held securely by a closure element. Here _. The can can then be deformed after the contents have been introduced and before the sealing insert is put on, in order to suck the sealing insert firmly in a further process step — by removing the deformation. Here too, it is possible to apply a negative pressure inside to build up the can, which then holds the sealing insert during the further process and also enables an intermediate cleaning step without the sealing insert being displaced and the contents of the container being endangered.

The value of the negative pressure, that is to say the suction force holding the sealing insert and / or its duration of action, can be adapted to the closing process. The negative pressure can be varied by means of different degrees of deformation and / or a change in the gas volume in the head space in order to be able to adapt the holding forces which hold the sealing insert to the mouth area of the container to different applications. The duration of exposure to the vacuum depends on the temperature and / or on the carbon dioxide content of the ingredient in the container. In the case of beverages with a high level of carbon dioxide, the vacuum must be selected so strongly that '. C0 ₂ escaping from the liquid does not lead to the seal insert no longer being securely held on the container.

The material of the sealing insert 13 can be chosen freely. It is thus possible to manufacture a flat ^'plastic sheet or a molded sealing liner in any molding process, as shown in the figure. For example, injection molding and die casting processes can be used, but also stamping and / or embossing processes. In order to ensure an optimal sealing of the sealing insert, a plastic material is preferably chosen that seals itself can create tend to the mouth portion 3 of a ^'container or is sealingly pressed by the closure element 15 °. It is essential, however, that a sealing effect is generated even when the negative pressure is built up so that the negative pressure is not released too quickly and there are no longer any holding forces.

With a corresponding choice of material for the container 1, the sealing insert can also consist of metal or of a combination material, namely of a metal plate which is coated with plastic at least on the side facing the mouth region 3.

The closure element 15 can be varied within a wide framework men ^'be. In the embodiment shown in the figure, a screw cap was assumed. Both plastic closures and metal closures can be used, which are either preformed and screwed on or put on without a formed thread and then subjected to a deformation process in which a thread is rolled on. Screw closures used here as closure element 15 can also be made of metal, in particular aluminum, and have a guarantee ring 25, which is made of plastic, for example.

Bottle caps, twist-off, or snap-on closures or the like can also be used as closures .15 here, or at the mouth of the container 1 molded closures, which consist for example of metal foil and are torn off when they are opened for the first time and are also referred to as zippers.

It is essential for the closures 11 of the type mentioned here that they have a separate sealing element, referred to here as a sealing insert 13, which is first placed on the mouth region 3 of a container and is tightened there. This makes it possible to seal the now pre-sealed container 1 to clean in the mouth area 3 and only then to put on the closure element 15, which is designed, for example, as a closure cap. The holding forces which act on the sealing insert 13 can be strengthened by using a closure 11 which holds a displaceable sealing insert 13 in the end region of its casing 19. After the first attachment, the closure element 15 designed as a closure cap can then be applied to the container 1, in particular screwed on. The sealing insert and the closure element are thus also formed as separate parts here, but the sealing insert is held here by the closure cap at least during a first functional position of the closure.

In all exemplary embodiments of the closure 11, the closure element 15 is preferably designed such that it holds the sealing insert 13 securely after the container 1 has been closed, so that when the closure 11 is removed, the sealing insert 13 also comes off the mouth _. rich -3 of the container 1 is removed. - The shape and design of the container 1 are therefore freely selectable according to the explanations given here. It is essential that a vacuum can be built up at least temporarily in the interior 43 of the container 1. If a negative pressure is introduced from the outside into the interior of the container 1, the walls of the container 1 must be so stable that they do not easily deform when the negative pressure is applied and therefore no more suction force can be built up to hold the sealing insert 13 on the mouth area 3. If containers are used which have at least reversibly deformable wall areas, then it must also be ensured here that the restoring forces of the deformed wall areas 35 are large enough to build up a suction force in the mouth area 3 due to the negative pressure, which can hold the sealing insert 13.

Claims

Expectations

1. Method for closing containers, in particular bottles or cans, by means of a one

Sealing insert and a closure having a closure element, in which a substance, in particular liquid, into the container. introduced and this is covered by means of the sealing insert and closed with the aid of the closure, characterized in that the sealing insert (13) is placed on the mouth region (3), the interior (43) of the container (1) is subjected to a negative pressure and the closure element ( 15) is applied to the mouth region (3).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the negative pressure is generated in that the container (1) is reversibly deformed after filling, so that its capacity is reduced, and that after the sealing insert (13) has been put on, the deformation at least is partially canceled.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the value of the vacuum and / or the duration of its action is / are variable.

, The method according to orhergehenden claims, characterized in _/ that _the. Value of the negative pressure due to different deformation and / or by the size of ^'the gas volume in Behäl- ter (1) between the sealing insert (13) and the filled substance can be predetermined.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the duration of exposure to the negative pressure can be predetermined by the temperature and / or by the carbon dioxide content of the substance filled into the container.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the negative pressure in the container after the application of the closure element (15) is released.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an excess pressure is built up in the interior (43) of the container (1) after the closure.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filled substance in the container (1) before the sealing insert (13) liquid nitrogen is supplied.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in particular the mouth region (3) of the container (1) is cleaned. ,

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning after placing the sealing insert (13) takes place ^'.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning of the container (1) takes place during the period in which the sealing insert (13) is held by means of the negative pressure on the mouth region (3) of the container (1).

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably flat disc is used as the sealing insert (13).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing insert (13) having a holding device is used.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing insert (13) with at least one sealing ring (29) is used.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing insert (13) is used which holds plastic and / or metal.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closure element (15) comprising a deformable material is used.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims - before, ^' characterized in that a closure- element (15) is used, which comprises plastic and / or metal.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a closure cap is used as the closure element (15), which is preferably designed such that it temporarily holds the sealing insert (13) which can be displaced within the closure cap.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a screw cap is used as the closure element (15).

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (15) is screwed onto the container (1) and / or molded onto its mouth region (3).

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a crown cap or a twist-off ^'or a snap closure system is used as the closure element (15).

22. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reversibly deformable bottle, in particular a bottle made of plastic, is used as the container (1).

23. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as! A container (1) ^{^'a'} reversible -verformbare box, in particular a can ^'of _metal. preferably made of aluminum. ^' .

24. Device for closing containers, in particular bottles or cans, in particular according to a method according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by a deformation element (47) which interacts with the container (1).

25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that the deformation element is stationary and protrudes into the movement path of the container (1) to be filled.

26. The device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the deformation element (47) is designed to be movable.

27. The device according to claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the deformation element has at least one roller.

28. Device according to one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the deformation element cooperates with an eccentric.