Activating device for screw caps

Abstract

A device for activating a screw cap of a container comprises a first holding device for holding the screw cap, and a drive for activating the first holding device, wherein the first holding device is movable in a plane. The first holding device comprises a coupling device for the coupling of an external drive, and therefore the first holding device is movable in the plane.

Claims

1. A device for screwing and/or unscrewing a screw cap of a container comprising a first holding device for holding the screw cap, said first holding device including a first jaw chuck mounted in a jaw chuck housing, said jaw chuck housing being mounted rotatably on a holder; a threaded plate mounted rotatably within said jaw chuck housing, said threaded plate having a drive shaft; a drive motor which is coupled to said jaw chuck housing to set said jaw chuck housing into rotational movement; and jaws arranged in engagement with the threaded plate, such that when said jaw chuck housing is set into said rotational movement relative to said threaded plate, said jaws are moved radially in the direction of or counter to the direction of an axis of rotation of said threaded plate in order to grasp or to release a screw cap, wherein said first holding device comprises a changeover switch configured to be switched between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein, when the changeover switch is switched to the first operating mode, said rotational movement of said jaw chuck housing together with a rotation of said threaded plate is allowed, and wherein, when the changeover switch is switched to the second operating mode, said rotation of the threaded plate is blocked such that said jaw chuck housing is rotated by said rotational movement relative to said threaded plate.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said threaded plate comprises a blocking wheel connected to the drive shaft, said blocking wheel including a recess on an outer side into which a bolt of the changeover switch engages in order to block the rotation of the threaded plate.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said changeover switch comprises a magnetically activated bolt.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein said bolt is magnetically activated and does not engage said recess in an energy-free state.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings used for explaining the exemplary embodiment:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the first and the second holding device;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a top view of the three jaw chuck of the second holding device;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the device for activating a rotary closure, wherein the first holding device is movable in a plane via a y,z guide;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic oblique view of an arrangement comprising a device according to FIG. 3 and an x,y,z robot for moving the first holding device;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic oblique view of the arrangement according to FIG. 4, wherein the x,y,z robot is in engagement with the y,z guide;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of a device for activating a rotary closure, wherein the first holding device is movable via along a region of a cylinder jacket.

(8) Identical parts are basically provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the first holding device 100 and the second holding device 200. The second, lower holding device 200 serves for holding the container 240, and the first, upper holding device 100 serves for holding the screw cap 140. In the method for opening a screw cap 140 of a container 240, the container 240 is inserted into and held in the second holding device 200. The first holding device 100 is then positioned in such a manner that the screw cap 140 can be grasped by the first holding device 100. After the grasping, the first holding device is then rotated about the axis of rotation thereof in the opening direction, in particular anticlockwise, and therefore the screw cap 140 is unscrewed from the container 240. In order to screw down a container 240 with a screw cap 140, a container 240, with a screw cap 140 loosely placed thereon, is correspondingly inserted into the second holding device 200 and fixed, whereupon the screw cap 140 is grasped by the first holding device 100 and rotated counter to the opening direction or in the closing direction, in particular in the clockwise direction. The first holding device 100 and the second holding device 200 are described in detail below with respect to FIG. 1.

(10) The first holding device 100 substantially comprises a holder 110, via which the holding device 100 is mounted on a linear guide (see below) and on which the first jaw chuck 120 is rotatably mounted.

(11) The holding device 100 comprises a strip 110.1, on which, at the one end via a ball bearing 111, the first jaw chuck 120 is mounted rotatably about an axis oriented at right angles to the strip 110.1. In addition, the changeover switch 112 with the magnetically activatable bolt 113 is mounted on the strip 110.1. A mounting plate 110.2, to which the driving motor 114 is fastened, with the drive shaft 115 parallel to the mounting plate 110.2 and at right angles to the strip 110.1, is mounted at the second end of the strip 110.1 and at right angles thereto. The driving motor 114 and the changeover switch 112 are arranged on opposite sides of the strip 110.1.

(12) The first jaw chuck 120 substantially comprises a jaw chuck housing 121 and a threaded plate 130, which is mounted rotatably within the jaw chuck housing 121 and has a drive shaft 132.

(13) The jaw chuck housing 121 of the first jaw chuck 120 has an internally hollow, circular-cylindrical basic shape with a bearing cylinder 129 arranged coaxially with respect to the circular cylinder. The threaded plate 130 which is in the shape of a circular disk is mounted in the circular-cylindrical basic shape. The bearing cylinder 129 comprises two substantially circular-cylindrical regions. The first region of the bearing cylinder 129, which region directly adjoins the basic shape, comprises, along the inner walls, an encircling groove in which a ball bearing 126 for the drive shaft 132 of the threaded plate 130 is arranged. The second region of the bearing cylinder 129, which region adjoins the first region, comprises, on the outer side, an encircling groove, in which a ball bearing 111 is arranged. The jaw chuck housing 121 is mounted rotatably on the holder 110 via the ball bearing 111. The ball bearing 126 and the ball bearing 111 are both arranged coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation of the jaw chuck housing 121 or coaxially with respect to the individual cylinder axes of the first region, the second region and the circular-cylindrical basic shape.

(14) On the side opposite the cylindrical regions, the jaw chuck housing 121 has an opening for receiving a screw cap 140. The opening is oriented coaxially with respect to the ball bearing 126 or with respect to the circular-cylindrical basic shape of the jaw chuck housing 121. Three radially oriented slots 124 (only one slot 124 is apparent in FIG. 1), in which the jaws 127 of the first jaw chuck 120 are radially guided, open into said opening. The three slots 124 are arranged in a star-shaped and regular manner, that is to say, with an intermediate angle in each case of 120 (see below, with respect to FIG. 2). The slots 124 are in each case provided on both sides with grooves 125 for the radial guidance of the jaws 127, and therefore an axial movement of the jaws 127 can be prevented. For this purpose, the jaws 127 comprise lateral guide strips which are guided radially in the form of a sliding guide in the grooves 125. The jaws 127 can therefore be moved to and fro in the radial direction. In order to hold a screw cap 140, the jaws 127 are guided radially inward.

(15) The threaded plate 130 is in the form of a circular disk. On one side, the threaded plate 130 is provided with a helical thread 131. The threaded plate 130 is mounted rotatably in the jaw chuck housing 121 in the cavity of the circular-cylindrical basic body. For this purpose, on that side of the threaded plate 130 which is opposite the helical thread 131, said threaded plate is connected coaxially with respect to the circular disk to a drive shaft 132. The drive shaft 132 is mounted rotatably in the bearing cylinder 129 via the ball bearing 126. Said drive shaft 132, at the end thereof opposite the threaded plate 130, is connected to a blocking wheel 133. Said likewise circular-cylindrical blocking wheel 133 projects out of the bearing cylinder 129 and comprises, on the outer side, a recess 134 in which the bolt 113 of the magnetic changeover switch 112 engages, and therefore a rotation of the threaded plate 130 can be blocked. In a corresponding manner, the magnetic changeover switch 112 is mounted on strip 110.1 in such a manner that, by activation of the changeover switch 112, engagement of the bolt 113 in the recess 134 can be achieved. In the present case, the changeover switch 112 is designed in such a manner that, in the energy-free state, the bolt 113 does not engage in the recess 134. However, it is clear that the changeover switch 112 can also be designed in such a manner that, in the energy-free state, the bolt 113 engages in the recess 134.

(16) While the second region of the bearing cylinder 129 is mounted rotatably in the strip 110.1 via the ball bearing 111, the outer region of the first region of the bearing cylinder 129 is designed as a drive wheel or rolling surface for a drive belt 116 which is driven by the drive motor 114. For this purpose, said outer region can be appropriately structured or can comprise other known guide aids for the drive belt 116.

(17) The jaws 127 are movable radially via the helical thread 131 of the threaded plate. The jaws 127 have a rectangular basic shape in a plane at right angles to the cylinder axis of the jaw chuck housing 121. That surface of the jaws 127 which projects in the axial direction into the cavity of the jaw chuck housing 121 is provided with tangential grooves which form a thread 128 which acts as a counterpart to the helical thread 131 of the threaded plate 130. The jaws 127 are in each case in engagement by means of the thread 128 thereof with the helical thread 131 of the threaded plate 130. If the threaded plate 130 is then rotated relative to the jaw chuck housing 121, the jaws 127, depending on the direction of rotation, are moved radially in the direction of the axis of rotation or radially counter to the direction of the axis of rotation. Owing to the thread pitch of the helical thread 131 or of the thread 128 of the jaws, said jaw chuck 120 is what is referred to as a self-locking three jaw chuck. The term self-locking is understood as meaning that the positions of the jaws 127 in the jaw chuck 120 cannot change independently, for example due to shaking or due to too low a degree of friction. Of course, the self-locking can also be influenced by other factors, such as the lubrication, surface structure, etc., in addition to the thread pitch.

(18) For the first jaw chuck 120, there are therefore two operating modes which can be selected by the changeover switch 112.

(19) In the first operating mode, the changeover switch 112 is energy-free, and therefore the bolt 113 does not engage in the recess 134 of the blocking wheel 133. If the drive motor 114 is then activated, the rotational movement of the drive shaft 115 is transmitted by means of drive belt 116 to the first region of the bearing cylinder 129 and therefore sets the jaw chuck housing 121 into a rotational movement. Since the first jaw chuck 120 is self-locking and the blocking wheel 133 is not blocked by the bolt 113, the threaded plate 130 rotates together with the jaw chuck housing 121. The first jaw chuck 120 is therefore rotated in its entirety without the jaw chuck 120 of the jaws 127 being activated. In this state, a screw cap 140 which is already held by the first jaw chuck is rotated.

(20) In the second operating mode, the changeover switch 112 is activated such that the bolt 113 engages in the recess 134 of the blocking wheel 133. If the drive motor 114 is then activated, the rotational movement of the drive shaft 115 is transmitted in turn by means of drive belt 116 to the first region of the bearing cylinder 129 and therefore sets the jaw chuck housing 121 into a rotational movement. Since the blocking wheel 133 is then blocked by the bolt 113, the threaded plate 130 does not rotate together with the jaw chuck housing 121. The first jaw chuck 120 is therefore rotated in its entirety while the threaded plate 130 is fixed. By means of this relative rotation, the jaws 127 of the jaw chuck 120 are moved radially inwards or outwards depending on the direction of rotation. In this operating mode, a screw cap 140 can be grasped or released.

(21) In order to be able to loosen or tighten a screw cap 140 from or on a container 240 with a rotational movement of the first jaw chuck 120, the container 240 has to be able to be held with respect to the first holding device 100. For this purpose, the device preferably comprises a second holding device 200 with a second jaw chuck 220 which is arranged below the first jaw chuck 120.

(22) In the present case, the second jaw chuck 220 only takes on the function of holding the container 240.

(23) The second jaw chuck 220 comprises a jaw chuck housing 221 which is mounted fixedly on a mounting plate 210. The jaw chuck housing 221 substantially has a circular-cylindrical basic shape with a cavity for a circular ring plate 230.

(24) One surface of the circular ring plate 230 is provided with a helical thread 231 which, in turn, can move the jaws 225 of the second jaw chuck 220this takes place analogously to the first jaw chuck 120. For the description of the function of the jaws 225, the thread 226 of the jaw with the helical thread 231 of the circular ring plate 230, the radial slots 223 and the grooves 224 for guiding the jaws, reference is made to the description of the first jaw chuck 120. On that side of the circular ring plate 230 which is opposite the helical thread 231, a drive shaft 232, substantially in the form of a hollow cylinder, is connected to the circular ring plate 230. A ball bearing 211 is arranged revolving around the drive shaft 232 in such a manner that the circular ring plate 230 is rotatable on the jaw chuck housing 221. In the present embodiment, the jaw chuck housing 221 and the drive shaft have complementary steps between which the ball bearing 211 is held.

(25) The inside diameter of the drive shaft 232 corresponds to a central opening in the circular ring plate 230, in the second jaw chuck housing 221, and to an opening in the mounting plate 210. All of the openings are arranged coaxially in such a manner that, when the jaw chuck is open, there is a continuous opening in the second jaw chuck 220. Container and screw cap can therefore optionally drop through the continuous opening, in particular if the container is identified as a reject. On the other hand, after activation of the screw cap, the containers can also be removed from below, through the continuous opening. In principle, there is therefore the possibility of loading or unloading the second jaw chuck from above and from below.

(26) A driving motor 212 for the second jaw chuck 220, which driving motor can drive a drive belt 214 via a drive shaft 213, is mounted on the mounting plate 210. For this purpose, the drive shaft 232 has a running surface for the drive belt 214, which running surface is arranged opposite the circular ring plate 230 with respect to the ball bearing 211. The jaw chuck housing 221 has a channel adjacent to the mounting plate 210 for guiding the drive belt 214.

(27) When the drive 212 is actuated, the jaws 225 are moved radially inward or outwards, depending on the direction of rotation, and therefore a container 240 can be correspondingly held or released.

(28) FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a top view of the second three jaw chuck 220 of the second holding device 200. It is apparent here that the jaw chuck housing 221 is of substantially circular-cylindrical design and, for the guiding of the jaws 225, comprises three slots 223 arranged in a star-shaped manner. The container 240 (with the screw cap 140) can drop through the central opening 233. Finally, the circular ring plate 230 with the helical thread 231 is apparent in each case in the slots 223. In the state illustrated, a container 240 is held by the jaws 225.

(29) In particular if containers 240 are intended to be inserted directly from above into the second jaw chuck 220 or directly from below into the first jaw chuck 120, at least one of the two holding devices 100, 200 is then preferably movable to and fro in at least one direction. Directly is understood as meaning here that the container 240 does not pass the other jaw chuck beforehand.

(30) FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the device for activating a rotary closure 1, wherein the first holding device 100 is movable in a vertical plane by a y,z guide 300. The two holding devices 100, 200 correspond to those of FIG. 1, and therefore reference is made to the above description for the details.

(31) In the present embodiment, the first holding device 100 is fastened to a y rail which is movable on a z rail 303 in the y direction 304 and in the z direction 302. The y,z guide 300 is not motorized, that is to say, it is drive-free in the present case. In the present embodiment, the first holding device 100 is moved by an external drive (see below). For this purpose, the z rail 303 comprises an L-shaped slot 305 in which a corresponding, L-shaped element (see below) of a robot can engage in a positive-locking manner and can therefore move the first holding device 100 in the y,z plane.

(32) In the illustration according to FIG. 3, a container 240 together with screw cap 140 is already inserted in the second holding device 200. The first holding device 100 is correctly positioned with respect to the y direction 304, and therefore said holding device can then be moved downwards in the z direction 302 in order, by means of the first jaw chuck 120, to grasp the cap 140 (second operating mode, bolt of the changeover switch is activated, and therefore the threaded plate 130 rotated together with the jaw chuck housing 121) and subsequently to rotate said cap, for opening or closing purposes (first operating mode, bolt of the changeover switch is not activated).

(33) Following the activation of the screw cap 140, the first jaw chuck 120 is released again. In order to be able to remove the container 240 out of the second holding device from above, the y rail is now moved together with the first holding device 100 upwards in the z direction 302 and then in the y direction 304. The space above the container 240 therefore becomes free for the access of a robot or the like. After the container 240 has been grasped, the second jaw chuck 220 is released.

(34) Alternatively, however, the two jaw chucks 120 can also be released, and therefore the container 240 can drop through the continuous opening into a catching container 310.

(35) As already mentioned, the y,z guide itself is of drive-free design. When a screw cap 140 is activated by the first holding device 100, the holding device 100 is moved in a drive-free manner in the z direction by the thread pitch of the screw cap 140. This has the advantage that no adjustment is necessary if the thread pitch changes. For the moving of the first holding device, an external robot, preferably a robot which can already take on functions, such as container transport or removal of samples, is therefore provided. The efficiency of the robot is therefore optimized, but also the costs for the device and the maintenance are reduced.

(36) FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic oblique view of an arrangement comprising a device 1 according to FIG. 3 and an external x,y,z robot 400 for moving the first holding device 100. In the present case, the x,y,z robot 400 is designed in such a manner that both the y,z guide 300 can be operated and container 240 can be transported or samples can be removed from a container. The last (one or two) functions can also be dispensed with, or they can be replaced by one or more other functions (SPME device, stirring device, heating element, gripping arm, etc.). The functions are in each case adapted to the field of use.

(37) In the present case, the x,y,z robot 400 comprises an x rail 401, a y rail 403 and a z rail 405. The x rail 401 comprises two supports 401a, 401b, via which the x,y,z robot 400 is mounted on a rest. A y rail 403 is held on the x rail 401 so as to be movable in the x direction 402 and in the y direction 404. Finally, the z rail 405, on which, in the present case, a syringe unit 410 is held so as to be movable in the z direction 406, is held on the y rail 403.

(38) The syringe unit 410 comprises a syringe 411 for removing samples, for example from a container with a septum or the like. The syringe unit 410 furthermore comprises a holding device 413 for grasping a container 240. In the present case, the holding device 413 is designed as a magnetic cap, but can also comprise a gripper or the like. Finally, the syringe unit 410 comprises an L-shaped element 412 which can engage in the L-shaped slot 305 of the y rail of the y,z guide in order to move the first holding device in the y,z plane via the y,z guide.

(39) FIG. 5 shows a schematic oblique view of the arrangement according to FIG. 4, wherein the x,y,z robot 400 is in engagement with the y,z guide 300. For this purpose, the x,y,z robot 400 has been positioned in the y,z plane in such a manner that the L-shaped element 412 is oriented in the x direction 402 in alignment with the L-shaped slot 305 of the y rail. The x,y,z robot 400 is then moved with the y rail 403 in the x direction 402 until the L-shaped element 412 is in engagement with the L-shaped slot 305. It should be noted here that, in the present embodiment, the y rail 303 of the y,z guide 300 is not movable in the x direction 402, and therefore secure grasping by the L-shaped element 412 is ensured. In this configuration according to FIG. 5, the first holding device 100 can then be moved in the x,y plane by means of the x,y,z robot 400.

(40) The jaw chuck 120 or 220 does not absolutely have to be designed as a three jaw chuck. In a further embodiment, only two or more than three, in particular four jaws 127 can also be provided.

(41) In a further embodiment, the threaded plate 130 can comprise a central opening, and the drive shaft 132 together with the blocking wheel 133 can be designed as a hollow body, that is to say, substantially as a cylinder jacket. Therefore, for example, screw caps 140 can be introduced into the first jaw chuck 120 from above, and therefore screwing down of containers 240 with screw caps 140 can be achieved more efficiently. Containers 240, with or without screw caps 140, can also be introduced from above into the device 1, and therefore the latter can be of more compact design, in particular since access between the two jaw chucks 120, 220 does not necessarily have to be achievable. The container 240 could also be introduced from below through the central opening 233 in the second jaw chuck 220 and the cap 140 could also be introduced, as described above, from above. Finally, the second jaw chuck 220 can also be guided and lowered by a container 220, and therefore the containers 220 can be kept ready, for example, on a conveyor belt or the like. Robot transport of the containers 220 can therefore be dispensed with.

(42) FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of a device 2 for activating a screw cap 140, wherein the first holding device 100 is movable via along a region of a cylinder jacket. The device 2 substantially corresponds to the device 1, wherein, instead of numbers in the 300s, numbers in the 500s are in each case used. Only the differences are discussed below. The cylinder coordinate system is by a z rail 501 which is arranged vertically, and also a y arm 503, which is movable in the z direction 502 on the z rail 501 and, in addition, is rotatable about the z rail 501 in the direction of rotation 504. An L-shaped slot 505 for the x,y,z robot 400 is provided in turn at the distal end of the y arm 503. The L-shaped slot 505 here is preferably not oriented precisely in the direction of rotation 504 of the y arm 503, and therefore, during each movement, a positive-locking connection of the L-shaped slot 505 and of the L-shaped element 412 remains ensured.

(43) In variants, for this embodiment, instead of the L-shaped slot 505, it is therefore also possible just to provide a bore, which is oriented in the z direction, from below at the distal end of the y arm 503. In this case, the x,y,z robot 400 would have a corresponding pin which can enter the bore. This design is of advantage since, during the pivoting operation by the x,y,z robot 400, the pivoting movement of the y arm 503 itself would not necessarily have to be taken into consideration.

(44) In principle, the two jaw chucks 120, 220 can also be interchanged, with the effect that the lower jaw chuck 220 is of rotatable and activatable design while the upper jaw chuck 120 is merely activatable. That is to say, in principle the screw cap 140 can also be held while the container 240 is rotated. Instead of an external x,y,z robot, the y,z guide can also be motorized.

(45) The driving motors 114 and 212 are preferably torque-controlled motors, and therefore a compressive force on the container 240 or on the screw cap 140 can be adapted in such a manner that damage can be avoided.

(46) In summary, it can be stated that, according to the invention, a device for activating screw closures is provided, which device can be produced particularly cost-effectively and can be integrated in a simple manner in existing systems. In addition, the device according to the invention is distinguished by improved efficiency of individual mechanical elements. In particular, existing resources can be optimally used, and therefore the device can be constructed more simply and can be formed in particular with fewer dedicated drive units.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS (NOT FILED)

(47) 1,2 Device for activating a rotary closure 100 First holding device 110 Holder 110.1 Strip 110.2 Mounting plate 111 Ball bearing 112 Magnetic changeover switch 113 Bolt 114 Driving motor 115 Drive shaft 116 Drive belt 120 First jaw chuck 121 Jaw chuck housing 122 Outer groove 123 Inner groove 124 Radial slot 125 Groove 126 Ball bearing 127 Jaw 128 Thread 129 Bearing cylinder 130 Threaded plate 131 Helical thread 132 Drive shaft 133 Blocking wheel 134 Recess 140 Screw cap 200 Second holding device 210 Mounting plate 211 Ball bearing 212 Driving motor 213 Drive shaft 214 Drive belt 220 Second jaw chuck 221 Jaw chuck housing 222 Inner groove 223 Radial slot 224 Groove 225 Jaw 226 Thread 230 Circular ring plate 231 Helical thread 232 Drive shaft 233 Central opening 240 Container 300 y,z guide 301 z rail 302 z direction 303 y rail 304 y direction 305 L-shaped slot 310 Catching container 400 External x,y,z robot 401 x rail 401a, 401b Supports 402 x direction 403 y rail 404 y direction 405 z rail 406 z direction 410 Syringe unit 411 Syringe 412 L-shaped element 413 Magnetic picking-up device 500 y,z guide 501 z rail 502 z direction 503 y arm 504 Direction of rotation 505 L-shaped slot 510 Catching container