APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CUTTING GEOMETRY IN A CLOSURE CAP FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a cutting geometry running in the circumferential direction, in particular for producing a locking ring, in a shell of a closure cap for a container, comprising the steps of providing the closure cap and transporting the closure cap by means of a transport device along a transport path. The closure cap is fed to a machining section of the transport path, in which machining section a stationary cutter having a cutting blade extending along a cutting section is arranged, and a cutting process is carried out in the machining section by rolling of the shell on the cutting blade of the stationary cutter to produce the cutting geometry. The closure cap is fed to the machining section with a predeterminable orientation of a rotational position relative to a centre axis of the closure cap, and a driver of the transport device which rotates about an axis of rotation is made to engage with a stop of the closure cap and a movement of the rotating driver is controlled in such a way that, when the closure cap enters the machining section, the driver has a rotated position corresponding to the predeterminable orientation of the closure cap. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Claims

1. A method for producing a cutting geometry running in the a circumferential direction in a shell of a closure cap for a container, said method comprising the following steps: a) providing the closure cap; b) transporting the closure cap along a transport path by a transport installation; wherein c) the closure cap is fed to a machining section of the transport path, in which machining section a stationary cutting knife having a cutting blade that extends along a cutting section is disposed; and d) a cutting procedure for generating the cutting geometry in the machining section is carried out by rolling the shell on the cutting blade of the stationary cutting knife; wherein a feeding of the closure cap to the machining section takes place at a predefinable orientation in terms of a rotary position in relation to a central axis of the closure cap in that a driver of the transport installation that rotates about a rotation axis is brought to engage with a detent of the closure cap, and a movement of the rotating driver is controlled in such a manner that, when the closure cap enters the machining section, the driver has a rotary position that corresponds to the predefinable orientation of the closure cap, wherein a rotation of the closure cap about the central axis thereof in the machining section is controlled in such a manner that the closure cap is set in a predefinable rotation about the central axis thereof, wherein the rotating movement of the rotating driver and/or of the closure cap upon entering the machining section is controlled in such a manner that an angular velocity of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof is lower than the angular velocity of the closure cap about the central axis of the latter.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating movement of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof is controlled in such a manner that the rotating driver and the detent of the closure cap come to positively engage in the context of a complete relative revolution between the closure cap and the driver during feeding.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating movement of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof is controlled in such a manner that a rotating speed during feeding corresponds to a rotating speed in a region of the machining section, or in that a first rotating speed during feeding is higher than a second rotating speed in the region of the machining section.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotation of the closure cap about the central axis thereof in the machining section is controlled in such a manner that the closure cap is set in a predefinable rotation about the central axis thereof, said rotation being largely independent of the rotating movement of the rotating driver.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rotating movement of the rotating driver and/or of the closure cap upon entering the machining section is controlled in such a manner that an angular velocity of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof differs from an angular velocity of the closure cap about the central axis of the latter by at most 10%.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotating movement of the closure cap about the central axis thereof during feeding is impeded.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the closure cap is acquired by the transport installation, a relative movement of the rotating driver and of the closure cap in a direction of the central axis takes place.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotating driver is at least partially introduced into an interior of the closure cap.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driver is disposed on a support mandrel of the transport installation, said support mandrel having at least one support region which for supporting the shell of the closure cap is rotatable about a rotation axis and the shell is supported from an internal side during rolling over the support region.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotation axis of the rotating driver is guided in the machining section so as to be parallel and eccentric in relation to the central axis of the closure cap.

11. An apparatus for producing a cutting geometry running in the circumferential direction in a shell of a closure cap for a container, said apparatus comprising: a) a transport installation for transporting the closure cap along a transport path which comprises a machining section; wherein b) a stationary cutting knife having a cutting blade which for generating the cutting geometry in the shell of the closure cap extends along a cutting section is present in the machining section, wherein the transport installation comprises a driver which rotates about a rotation axis and is able to be brought to engage with a detent configured on the closure cap and is controllable in such a manner that, when the closure cap enters the machining section, the rotating driver has a rotary position corresponding to a predefinable orientation of the closure cap about the central axis thereof, wherein the control apparatus is designed and configured for controlling the rotating movement of the rotating driver and/or of the closure cap in the machining section in such a manner that an angular velocity of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof is lower than the angular velocity of the closure cap.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a control apparatus which is designed and configured for controlling a rotating movement of the rotating driver along the transport path is present.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control apparatus is designed and configured for controlling the rotating movement of the rotating driver in such a manner that a rotating speed during feeding corresponds to a rotating speed in a region of the machining section, or in that a first rotating speed during feeding is higher than a second rotating speed in the region of the machining section.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claims 11, wherein the control apparatus is designed and configured for controlling the rotating movement of the rotating driver and/or of the closure cap in the machining section in such a manner that an angular velocity of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof differs from an angular velocity of the closure cap about the central axis of the latter by at most 20%.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a contact face as a control means for an external side of the shell of the closure cap is present in at least portions of the machining section, the closure cap being able to be rolled on said contact face.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the driver is disposed on a support mandrel of the transport installation, said support mandrel having at least one support region which for supporting the shell of the closure cap is rotatable about a rotation axis.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the transport installation is configured as a rotary table, wherein a plurality of rotating drivers, on each of which one driver is disposed, are disposed along a circumference of the rotary table, and in that the machining section extends along the circumference of the rotary table.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating movement of the rotating driver about the rotation axis thereof is controlled in such a manner that the rotating driver and the detent of the closure cap come to positively engage in the context of a complete relative revolution between the closure cap and the driver during feeding, and this engagement, while further rotating the rotating driver, is maintained at least until entering the machining section.

19. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein a rotation of the closure cap about the central axis thereof in the machining section is controlled in such a manner that the closure cap is set in a predefinable rotation about the central axis thereof, said rotation being largely independent of the rotating movement of the rotating driver in that the shell of the closure cap is rolled on a contact face.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a rotating movement of the closure cap about the central axis thereof during feeding, prior to the engagement of the driver and the detent, is impeded.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] In the schematic drawings used for explaining the exemplary embodiment:

[0074] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to the invention having a transport installation which transports a closure cap along a cutting section;

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of a support mandrel of the transport installation prior to acquiring the closure cap;

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the support mandrel of the transport installation just prior to acquiring the closure cap;

[0077] FIG. 4 shows a lateral view of the support mandrel of the transport installation when acquiring the closure cap;

[0078] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view in a section plane which lies parallel to a transport plane and runs through a driver and a detent;

[0079] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 5 in a later position of the method at which the driver and the detent come to engage;

[0080] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 6 in a later position of the method, just before the closure cap enters a machining section;

[0081] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 7 in a later position of the method at which the closure cap enters the machining section;

[0082] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 8 in a later position of the method, just after the closure cap has entered the machining section;

[0083] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 9 in a later position of the method at which the closure cap enters the cutting section; and

[0084] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 10 in a later position of the method, during a cutting procedure in the cutting section.

[0085] In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference signs in the figures.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0086] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 1 according to the invention having a transport installation 2 which transports a closure cap 3 along a cutting section S. FIG. 1 shows only specific elements of the apparatus 1, wherein further elements have been omitted for the sake of improved clarity.

[0087] The transport installation 2 comprises a rotary table 4 (illustrated with dashed lines) and a support mandrel 5. The support mandrel 5 is mounted on the rotary table 4 so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis B of said support mandrel 5. The rotary table 4 is only schematically indicated and can have one or a plurality of support structures on which the support mandrel 5 is mounted on one or a plurality of counter bearings 4.1 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis B in relation to the rotary table 4. The support mandrel 5 can however also have, for example, a housing in which the rotatable mounting is configured and which is fixedly anchored to the rotatory table 4.

[0088] The rotary table 4 is mounted on a stationary mounting structure (not shown) of the apparatus 1 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis C. A rotating movement r of the rotary table 4 about the rotation axis C defines an advancing movement V of the support mandrel 5 of the transport installation 2 along the transport path T. In the embodiment of the apparatus 1 having the rotary table 4, the transport path T is in the shape of an arcuate segment. It is understood that a plurality of support mandrels 5 can be rotatably mounted along the circumference on the rotary table 4, said plurality of support mandrels 5 being simultaneously moved along the transport path T and successively passing a machining section W having a cutting section S.

[0089] A gear wheel 5.7 which is coaxial with the rotation axis B is fixedly disposed on an axle body 5.6 of the support mandrel 5, said axle body being disposed so as to be coaxial with the rotation axis B. The gear wheel 5.7 rolls on an internal toothing 15.1 of a ring 15, the latter being stationary in relation to the rotary table 4. Controlling the rotating movement R of the support mandrel 5 by the advancing action V provided by the rotating movement r of the rotary table 4 is thus achieved in a simple manner. The rotating movements R and r here have opposite rotating directions. In a suitable configuration of the toothing, the control can be chosen in such a manner that, when the closure cap 3 enters the cutting section S, the support mandrel 5, in particular a driver 8 configured thereon (see below), has a predefinable orientation. The toothings of the gear wheel 5.7 and the internal toothing 15.1 of the ring 15 are chosen such that the same orientation of the driver 8 is re-established after a complete revolution of the rotary table. The gear wheel 5.7 conjointly with the ring 15 thus form parts of a control apparatus of the apparatus 1 that is simple to configure. In the case of a plurality of support mandrels 5, the gear wheels 5.7 of all support mandrels 5 can roll on the same ring 15 such that the latter couples the rotating movements R of the support mandrels 5 about the respective rotation axes B. Potential drives which drive the rotary table 4 are not illustrated.

[0090] In the illustration of FIG. 1, the support mandrel 5 is situated in the region of the cutting section S, the latter forming a portion of the transport path T. The support mandrel 5 by way of a support region 5.1 engages in an interior of the closure cap 3 and transports the latter along the cutting section S. A cutting knife 6 having a cutting blade 6.1 is disposed in the cutting section S. The cutting blade 6.1 is configured so as to be curved in order to adapt to the transport path T and at least partially protrudes into the transport path T of the closure cap 3. In the course of being transported along the cutting section S, the closure cap 3 by way of a shell 3.1 is rolled on the cutting blade 6.1 in such a manner that the cutting blade 6.1 generates a cut in the shell 3.1. The support region 5.1 supports the shell 3.1 of the closure cap 3 from the inside and guides said shell 3.1 toward the cutting blade 6.1. The rotation axis B of the support mandrel 5, in terms of a central axis A of the closure cap 3, is guided so as to be offset in the direction perpendicular to the cutting section S. A support surface on which the closure caps 3 slide defines a transport plane E. The rotation axis B and the central axis A are perpendicular to the transport plane E.

[0091] FIGS. 2 to 11 show a sequence of a method according to the invention, first in lateral views having partially sectional views (FIGS. 2 to 4), and subsequently in a cross section perpendicular to the central axis A of the closure cap 3 (FIGS. 5 to 11). Irrelevant features of the support mandrel 5 have been omitted for the sake of improved clarity in FIGS. 5 to 11.

[0092] FIG. 2 shows a schematic lateral view of the support mandrel 5 of the transport installation 2 prior to acquiring the closure cap 3. The support mandrel 5 is moved in an advancing movement V and by way of a rotating movement R rotates about the longitudinal axis B of said support mandrel 5. In the case illustrated, the closure cap 3 is provided with an advancing movement v which is harmonized with the advancing movement V of the support mandrel 5. In this way, the transport installation 2 does not have to be decelerated for acquiring the closure cap 3, this being advantageous with a view to time-saving and efficient processing. The closure cap 3 is provided in such a manner that the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5, the former also corresponding to the rotation axis B of the latter, is disposed so as to be largely coaxial with the central axis A of the closure cap 3.

[0093] The closure cap 3 here slides on a transport support surface 7 which presently also defines the transport plane E. The longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5 is perpendicular to the transport support surface 7, or to the transport plane E, respectively. Further guide means which may be present, for example receptacles that are moved conjointly with the rotary table, and which guide the closure cap 3 in the direction of the advancing movement v are not illustrated.

[0094] The support region 5.1 of the support mandrel 5 is formed by a shell face of the support mandrel 5 that is configured so as to be largely circular-cylindrical. In the present case, the support region 5.1 has two completely or partially encircling grooves 5.2 which are provided for engagement by way of the cutting blade 6.1 of the cutting knife 6, or by way of a further, not illustrated cutting blade of the cutting knife 6, respectively, during the cutting procedure.

[0095] The support mandrel 5, on an end side 5.3 in an end region that in the direction of the longitudinal axis B faces the closure cap 3, has a neck 5.4 on which a driver 8 is configured. The neck 5.4 can be resiliently mounted. The driver 8, proceeding from the neck 5.4, extends outward in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B (cf. FIGS. 5 to 11 to this end). In the longitudinal direction B, the driver 8 ends by way of an end side 5.5 of the neck 5.4. The end side 5.5 designates an outermost end of the support mandrel 5.

[0096] A detent 9 is configured on an inner base 3.3 of the closure cap 3. The detent 9 is configured as a simple cam and extends eccentrically in the radial direction in terms of the central axis A of the closure cap 3. In particular, the detent 9 extends eccentrically in such a manner that in the case of a substantially concentric disposal of the support mandrel 5 and the closure cap 3, the support mandrel 5 by way of the end face 5.5 of the neck 5.4 can be lowered onto the internal base 3.3 without being obstructed by the detent 9, on the one hand. On the other hand, the detent 9 is disposed in such a manner that the driver 8 can acquire said detent 9 in the case of a relative rotation of the support mandrel 5 and of the closure cap 3 about the central axis A, or the longitudinal axis B, respectively.

[0097] In the illustration of FIG. 2, the support mandrel 5 is situated in a lowering movement F in the longitudinal direction B toward the closure cap 3 so as to acquire the latter by introducing the end region of the support mandrel 5 into an interior 3.2 of the closure cap 3. (Alternatively, the closure cap 3 can of course also be guided upward toward the support mandrel 5, or both elements are converged).

[0098] FIG. 3 shows a schematic lateral view of the support mandrel 5 of the transport installation 2 just prior to acquiring the closure cap 3. The illustration of FIG. 3 relates to a somewhat later position of the method than the illustration of FIG. 2, in which the support mandrel 5 has been lowered further in the direction F toward the closure cap 3 and is just prior to being introduced into the interior 3.2 of the closure cap 3.

[0099] FIG. 4 shows a schematic lateral view of the support mandrel 5 of the transport installation 2 when acquiring the closure cap 3. The support mandrel 5 by way of the end side 5.5 of the neck 5.4 has been completely lowered onto the internal base 3.3 of the closure cap 3. The driver 8 as well as the detent 9 in this position are disposed in a plane which is parallel to the transport plane E but have not yet been brought to engage. The closure cap 3 is now situated on an infeed section Z of the transport path T, running along the track 10.

[0100] The support region 5.1 of the support mandrel 5 in this position is disposed radially within a shell region 3.4 of the shell 3.1 of the closure cap 3, in which shell region 3.4 the cut, or a cutting geometry, respectively, is to be generated in the further method.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view in a sectional plane which lies parallel to the transport plane E and runs through the driver 8 as well as the detent 9. A line of vision is directed onto the transport support surface 7. The position of the method of FIG. 5 corresponds to the position of the method of FIG. 4, after the closure cap 3 has been acquired by the support mandrel 5 of the transport installation 2. The beginning of the infeed section Z on which the closure cap 3 is fed to a machining section W is indicated with dashed lines. In the present context, a beginning of the infeed section Z can be defined by the acquisition of the closure cap by the support mandrel 5.

[0102] It can be seen in the sectional view of FIG. 5 that the shell 3.1 of the closure cap 3, on a shell external side 3.5, has notches 3.6 that run parallel to the central axis A and result in a cross section in the manner of a gear wheel. The notches 3.6 extend across a specific height in the direction A, away from the closure cap 3, and form a knurling or fluting, respectively.

[0103] The driver 8 is somewhat inclined in terms of a direction which is radial in relation to B, so as to ensure improved contact of the detent 9 during a later engagement of the driver 8 and the detent 9, the latter being aligned so as to be radial in relation to A.

[0104] The support mandrel 5 performs a rotating movement R. The closure cap 3, which is transported by the transport installation 2, initially does not have any defined rotating movement about the central axis A of said closure cap 3. An uncontrolled rotation can result by virtue of the infeed. The driver 8 of the support mandrel 5, by virtue of the rotating movement R, is to come to engage with the detent 9 of the closure cap 3. In order to prevent that the detent 9, by virtue of an initial rotating movement of the closure cap 3, runs faster than the driver 8, which would make reliable contacting impossible, the original rotating movement of the closure cap 3 can be impeded, for example by a friction-fit between the shell external side 3 of the closure cap 3 and resilient elements, for example the cap receptable, and/or by means of a vacuum system on the rotary table.

[0105] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 5, in a later position of the method in which the driver 8 and the detent 9 have come to engage.

[0106] The transport installation 2 has transported the closure cap 3 further along the transport path T along the infeed section Z. In this portion of the infeed section Z, a contact face 11 which guides the closure cap 3 during transport is configured on the external side along the transport path T. The contact face 11 here is disposed in such a manner that the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5 and the central axis A of the closure cap 3 remain so as to be substantially concentrically disposed. The contact face 11 to this end typically has a spacing from the movement path of the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5, said spacing corresponding to half the external diameter of the shell external side 3.5.

[0107] By virtue of the engagement between the driver 8 and the detent 9, the closure cap now performs a rotating movement D which corresponds to the rotating movement R of the support mandrel 5. This means that the external shell face 3.5 of the closure cap 3, at a constant advancing movement V, rolls, i.e. also slides, on the contact face 11 with slippage.

[0108] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 6, in a later position of the method, just before the closure cap 3 enters the machining section

[0109] The rotation D of the closure cap 3 in this position of the method continues to be determined by the rotating movement R of the support mandrel 5, said rotating movement R being transmitted to the closure cap 3 as a result of the engagement of the driver 8 and the detent 9. The contact face 11 toward the transition to the machining face has a ramp 12 which, proceeding from the previous profile of the contact face 11, is curved toward the transport path T. The ramp 12 guides the closure cap 3 in a direction X which is largely perpendicular to the profile of the transport path T and displaces said closure cap 3 in relation to the movement path of the support mandrel 5. The closure cap 3 here is in particular displaced so far that said closure cap 3, when later entering the machining section W, by way of a shell internal side disposed at the contact face 11 bears on the support region 5.1 of the support mandrel 5 (not shown), and the axis of rotational symmetry A has an offset Y in relation to the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5. The closure cap 3 is thus laterally displaced relative to the support mandrel 5 such that the central axis A of the closure cap 3 is eccentrically disposed in terms of the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5.

[0110] The driver 8 and the detent 9 in the radial direction here are sized in such a manner that the engagement is maintained as a result of the eccentric displacement.

[0111] FIG. 8 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 7, in a later position of the method at which the closure cap 3 enters the machining section W.

[0112] The machining section W has a contact face 13 which is offset in relation to the contact face 11 of the infeed section Z to the transport path T. The ramp 12 of the infeed section Z at the transition to the machining section enables a continuous transition. The axis of rotational symmetry A of the closure cap 3 when entering the machining section W thus has an offset in relation to the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5, said offset corresponding to the displacement caused by the ramp 12. The contact face 13 runs along the transport path T at a constant spacing such that the offset Y is maintained.

[0113] The contact face 13 has a toothing 14 with teeth 14.1 which extend so as to be perpendicular to the transport plane E, i.e. parallel to the central axis A of the closure cap 3 as well as parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5. The toothing 14 is configured in such a manner that the teeth 14.1 can engage in the notches 3.6 of the shell external side 3.5 of the closure cap 3. When entering the machining section W, the teeth 14.1 come to engage with the notches 3.6, the closure cap 3 by way of the shell external side 3.5 thereof thus rolling on the contact face 13. Positive controlling of a rotation D′ of the closure cap 3 as a function of the advancing movement V is thus created by virtue of the toothing 14 and in that the shell 3.1 of the closure cap 3 by virtue of the offset Y is guided from the support region 5.1 against the contact face 13. The rotating speed of the rotation D′ of the closure cap 3 in the machining section W is higher than the rotating speed of the rotating movement R of the support mandrel 5 (cf. FIG. 9).

[0114] When the closure cap 3 enters the machining section W, the support mandrel 5 and thus the driver 8 disposed thereon have a predefined rotary position M. Because the driver 8 and the detent 9 are engaged when entering the machining section W, the closure cap 3 has an orientation of the rotary position thereof that is predefinable by way of the rotary position of the support mandrel 5. A desired rotary position of the closure cap 3 can thus be adjusted by correspondingly controlling the rotating movement of the support mandrel 5. Because the closure cap 3 in the further procedure of the method in the machining section W positively rolls on the contact face 13, a rotary position of the closure cap 3 about the central axis A thereof in the machining section W is unequivocally determined at each position of the method.

[0115] The cutting blade 6.1 of the cutting knife 6 is disposed in the cutting section S so as to be after an approach section P in the machining section W, said cutting blade 6.1 in the direction of the transport path T protruding beyond the contact face 13. The approach section P and the cutting section S here form sub-portions of the machining section W.

[0116] FIG. 9 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 8, in a later position of the method, just after the closure cap 3 has entered the machining section W.

[0117] The rotation D′ of the closure cap 3 in the machining section is positively controlled by way of the contact face 13. The rotating speed of the rotation D′ of the closure cap 3 in the machining section W is higher than the rotating speed of the rotating movement R of the support mandrel 5 and thus of the driver 8. The detent 9, by virtue of the difference between the rotating speeds, rotates faster about the central axis A of the closure cap 3 than the driver 8 rotates about the rotation axis B. Therefore, the detent 9 is lifted from the driver 8, the engagement of the driver 8 and the detent 9 thus being released.

[0118] FIG. 10 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 9 in a later position of the method at which the closure cap 3 enters the cutting section S.

[0119] The entry of the closure cap 3 into the cutting section S corresponds to a first contact point of the shell 3.1 of the closure cap 3 and the cutting blade 6.1 of the cutting knife 6. Because the cutting blade 6.1 in the direction of the transport path T protrudes beyond the contact face 13, said cutting blade 6.1 can penetrate the shell 3.1 and introduce the cut. The shell 3.1 on the inside here is supported by the support region 5.1 of the support mandrel 5, the latter being disposed opposite the cutting blade 6.1. The cutting blade 6.1 can penetrate the shell 3.1 and protrude into the grooves 5.2 disposed in the support region 5.1.

[0120] Because the closure cap 3 in the region of the approach section P positively rolls on the contact face 13, a rotary position of the closure cap 3 about the central axis A thereof when entering the cutting section S is unequivocally determined. The first contact point of the shell 3.1 and the cutting blade 6.1 is thus likewise unequivocally determined, the cut, or the cutting geometry, respectively, thus being able to be introduced into the closure cap 3 in an unequivocally predefinable orientation.

[0121] By virtue of the difference between the rotating speeds of the closure cap 3 and the support mandrel 5, the detent 9 having the rotation D′ moves further away from the driver 8 which rotates by way of the rotating movement R.

[0122] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view analogous to that of FIG. 10 in a later position of the method, during the cutting procedure in the cutting section S.

[0123] In the course of the cutting procedure the shell 3.1 of the closure cap 3 rolls on the cutting blade 6.1. The rotation D′ of the closure cap 3 about the central axis A thereof in the entire machining section W here is unequivocally determined by the toothing 14 of the contact face 13. In this way, the entire cut can be introduced into the closure cap 3 with great precision and in a predefinable orientation of said closure cap 3.

[0124] By virtue of the rotating movements of the closure cap 3 and of the driver 8 about different, mutually offset rotation axes A and B, respectively, the driver 8 in states of rotation can move closer to the detent 9 again. It is therefore recommended that a difference between the rotating speeds of the rotation D′ and of the rotating movement R is chosen to be sufficient to preclude any undesirable collision between the driver 8 and the detent 9 in the machining section W.