APPARATUS FOR SEALING AND DRYING CAPSULES, AND A METHOD FOR DISMANTLING CAPSULE CARRIERS

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for sealing and drying capsules (12), comprising a sealing device (14) for sealing capsules (12) and a drying device (16) for drying capsules (12), the drying device (16) comprising a plurality of capsule carriers (18), a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers (18), each capsule carrier (18) being coupled or couplable to the first chain (26) and to the second chain (28) by means of a snap-fit connection (30). The invention also relates to a method for dismantling capsule carriers (18) in such an apparatus (10).

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for sealing and drying capsules (12) comprising: a sealing device (14) for sealing capsules (12) and a drying device (16) for drying capsules (12), wherein the drying device (16) comprises: a plurality of capsule carriers (18), each capsule carrier (18) being elongated, having a first end (20), a second end (22), and a plurality of receptacles (24) for receiving capsules (12), a first chain (26) and a second chain (28) for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers (18), wherein the first end (20) of each capsule carrier (18) is coupled or couplable to the first chain (26) by a snap-fit connection (30), wherein the second end (22) of each capsule carrier (18) is coupled or couplable to the second chain (28) by a snap-fit connection (30), wherein the snap-fit connections (30) are configured such that the capsule carriers (18) can be rotated about an axis of rotation (31) when the snap-fit connections (30) are closed.

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) each have a plurality of extensions (32), wherein the first end (20) and the second end (22) of the capsule carrier (18) each have a clamp (34), wherein in each case an extension (32) and a clamp (34) form a snap-fit connection (30).

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein each extension (32) has a stop (36), wherein the stop (36), when the snap-fit connection (30) is closed, engages behind the corresponding clamp (34) of a capsule carrier (18), so that the capsule carriers (18) are fixed in a form-fitting manner between the first chain (26) and the second chain (28).

4. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drying device (16) comprises a plurality of gears (38), wherein the gears (38) mesh with chain links of the first chain (26) and/or the second chain (28).

5. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (10) comprises a feeding device (40) for feeding the capsules (12) into the sealing device (14).

6. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drying device (16) comprises an ejection device (42), wherein the ejection device (42) is configured to remove capsules (12) from the receptacles (24) of the capsule carriers (18) and wherein the ejection device (42) is configured to release the snap-fit connections (30) between the capsule carriers (18), the first chain (26), and the second chain (26).

7. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein the ejection device (42) comprises a shaft (44), wherein the shaft (44) has a first gear (46) and a second gear (48), wherein the first gear (46) and the second gear (48) are coupled to the shaft (44) in a rotationally fixed manner and mesh with chain links of the first chain (26) and the second chain (28), wherein the shaft (44) comprises a first bearing surface (50) and a second bearing surface (52), wherein each capsule carrier (18) has a contact surface (54) in a region of its first end (20) and in a region of its second end (22), wherein, when a capsule carrier (18) is moved around the shaft (44), the capsule carrier (18) contacts, at least with a region of its contact surfaces (54), at least one region of the first bearing surface (50) and at least one region of the second bearing surface (52).

8. The apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein the shaft (44) comprises a sleeve (56), a first flange (58) and a second flange (60), wherein the sleeve (56), the first flange (58), the second flange (60) and the shaft (44) are arranged coaxially, wherein the sleeve (56) is arranged between the first flange (58) and the second flange (60), wherein the sleeve (56), the first flange (58), and the second flange (60) are coupled to one another such that a rotation of the sleeve (56) relative to the shaft (44) causes an axial movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) between a first position (62), in which the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are at a minimum distance from one another, and a second position (64) in which the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are at a maximum distance from one another, wherein the shaft (44) comprises a plurality of flexible elements (66), wherein the flexible elements (66), the first flange (58), and the second flange (60) are configured and arranged in such a way that a movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) into the first position (62) causes a radial movement of the flexible elements (66) radially inwards, and that a movement of the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) into the second position (64) causes a radial movement of the flexible elements (66) radially outwards, wherein the shaft (44) and the capsule carriers (18) are configured such that when the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are arranged in the second position (64), the flexible elements (66) move the capsule carriers (18) radially outwards when the capsule carriers (18) are moved around the shaft (44), so that the snap-fit connections (30) are released.

9. The apparatus (10) according to claim 8, wherein the first flange (58) is coupled to the sleeve (56) by a screw connection (68), and wherein the second flange (60) is coupled to the sleeve (56) by a screw connection (68).

10. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein the ejection device (42) comprises a deflector, wherein the deflector is configured such that the capsule carriers (18) can be detached from the first chain (26) and/or the second chain (28) by the deflector.

11. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein the ejection device (42) comprises at least one inflatable hollow ring, and/or at least one hub extension means, wherein the at least one inflatable hollow ring and/or the at least one hub extension means are set up such that they can increase a hub diameter of the shaft (44).

12. The apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein the ejection device (42) comprises a chute (70), wherein the chute (70) is configured to guide the capsules (12) removed from the receptacles (24) of the capsule carriers (18) out of the apparatus (10), wherein the chute (70) is also configured to guide the capsule carriers (18) removed from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) out of the apparatus (10).

13. A method for dismantling capsule carriers (18) of an apparatus (10) according to claim 1, the method comprising: providing the apparatus (10), wherein the capsule carriers (18) are coupled to the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) by the snap-fit connections (30), exerting a force on individual capsule carriers (18) to release the snap-fit connection (30) in each case and to release the capsule carriers (18) from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: moving the capsule carriers (18) by the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) along a circular path or along a circular segment, and exerting a force directed radially outwards from a center point of the circular path or of the circular segment on the capsule carriers to open the snap-fit connections (30) and release the capsule carriers (18) from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises: fixing the capsule carriers (18) in such a way that rotation about the axis of rotation (31) due to gravity is prevented while the capsule carriers (18) are moved along the circular path or along the circular segment.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: guiding the capsule carriers (18) released from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) out of the apparatus (10).

17. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of extensions (32) are bolt-shaped.

18. The apparatus (10) according to claim 7, wherein the first bearing surface (50) adjoins the first gear (46), and wherein the second bearing surface (52) adjoins the second gear (48).

19. The apparatus (10) according to claim 9, wherein the first flange (58) and the second flange (60) are each coupled pneumatically, hydraulically, and/or electrically to the sleeve (56).

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the capsule carriers (18) released from the first chain (26) and the second chain (28) are guided out of the apparatus (10) by a chute (70).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the wording of the claims and from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0070] FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for sealing and drying capsules;

[0071] FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of a capsule carrier of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;

[0072] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a sectional view of the capsule carrier according to FIG. 2;

[0073] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a perspective view of a shaft of a drying device of the apparatus according to FIG. 1;

[0075] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a sectional view of the shaft according to FIG. 5;

[0076] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the shaft according to FIG. 5 with a first flange and a second flange in a first position;

[0077] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 7;

[0078] FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of a sectional view of the shaft of FIG. 5 with the first flange and the second flange in a second position, and

[0079] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shaft according to FIG. 5 and a chute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0080] In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference signs. For improved clarity, not all reference signs are reproduced in all figures.

[0081] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an apparatus 10 for sealing and drying capsules 12. The apparatus 10 comprises a sealing device 14 for sealing capsules 12 and a drying device 16 for drying the capsules 12. The apparatus 10 also comprises a feeding device 40 for feeding the capsules 12 into the sealing device 14.

[0082] In the sealing device 14, the already-filled and closed capsules 12 are sealed. After sealing the capsules 12, they are dried in the drying device 16.

[0083] The drying device 16 has a plurality of capsule carriers 18. The capsules 12 are received and transported in the drying device 16 by means of the capsule carriers 18.

[0084] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a capsule carrier 18 of the apparatus 10 according to FIG. 1. The capsule carriers 18 are each elongated and each have a first end 20 and a second end 22. The capsule carriers 18 each have a plurality of receptacles 24. The receptacles 24 are arranged next to one another or one behind the other along the longitudinal extension of the corresponding capsule carrier 18.

[0085] The drying device 16 further comprises a first chain 26 and a second chain 28 for receiving and transporting the capsule carriers 18 (see e.g. FIGS. 1, 5, or 10). Each capsule carrier 18 is coupled or connected with its first end 20 to the first chain 26 and with its second end 22 to the second chain 28. For transporting the capsule carriers 18, the drying device 16 has a plurality of gears 38. The two chains 26, 28 are moved in slalom-like fashion in a circuit by means of a plurality of gears 38 in the drying device 16 (see FIG. 1).

[0086] The capsule carriers 18 are coupled or connected to the two chains 26, 28 by means of a snap-fit connection 30. For this purpose, each capsule carrier 18 has a clamp 34 at its first end 20 and its second end 22. The first chain 26 and the second chain 28 each have a plurality of bolt-shaped extensions 32 which correspond to the clamps 34 of the capsule carriers 18. In other words, the clamps 34 of the capsule carriers 18 and the extensions 32 of the two chains 26, 28 form in each case a snap-fit connection 30.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows a detail of a sectional view of the capsule carrier 18 according to FIG. 2. Two capsules 12 are shown received in the receptacles 24 of the capsule carrier 18 shown. The capsule carrier 18 shown is coupled or connected with its first end 20 or with the clamp 34 arranged at the first end 20 to the illustrated extension 32 of the first chain 26. The first chain 26 or its chain links are not shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of clarity.

[0088] In the present case, the extension 32 forms a prolongation of a bolt 33 which connects or couples two adjacent chain links of the first chain 26 with each other. The extension 32 and the recess 33 are each made in one piece in the present case.

[0089] The capsule carriers 18 can each rotate about an axis of rotation 31 when they are connected or coupled to the two chains 26, 28 (i.e. when the snap-fit connections 30 are closed). The rotatable mounting of the capsule carriers 18 is formed by the snap-fit connections 30. The axes of rotation 31 of the capsule carriers 18 each extend parallel to the longitudinal extension of the corresponding capsule carrier 18 (see FIG. 2).

[0090] In the present case, the extension 32 has a stop 36 which is formed in the manner of a flange (or collar) around one end of the extension 32. The stop 36 prevents a releasing or opening of the snap-fit connection 30 by a movement of the extension 32 or the capsule carrier 18 along the axis of rotation 31 (in FIG. 3 to the left or right).

[0091] The drying device 16 furthermore has an ejection device 42.

[0092] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 1. The ejection device 42 is shown in FIG. 4. The ejection device 42 has a shaft 44. The shaft 44 has a first gear 46 and a second gear 48. The first gear 46 meshes with the first chain 26 (or with its chain links). The second gear 48 meshes with the second chain 28 (or with its chain links). Thus, the capsule carriers 18 coupled to the two chains 26, 28 are moved or transported around the shaft 44 (see FIG. 7).

[0093] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a perspective view of the shaft 44. FIG. 5 illustrates how the capsule carriers 18 are moved around the shaft 44. The capsule carriers 18 are rotated about the corresponding axis of rotation 31 in such a way that the capsules 12 can fall out of the receptacles 24 of the capsule carriers 18 due to gravity. The capsules 12 are not shown for the sake of clarity.

[0094] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a sectional view of the shaft 44 according to FIG. 5. The shaft 44 is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 37 (see FIG. 7). The capsule carriers 18 are moved along a circular path or a circular segment 35 about the shaft 44. The capsule carriers 18 are thus at least temporarily coupled to the shaft 44 in a rotationally fixed manner. This causes the capsule carriers 18 to move about the axis of rotation 37 (see FIG. 7) of the shaft 44.

[0095] The capsule carriers 18 are pressed onto the shaft 44 by means of the first chain 26 and the second chain 28 (or by means of the snap-fit connections 30 with the two chains 26, 28), whereby a (at least temporary) rotationally fixed coupling is established between the shaft 44 and the capsule carriers 18.

[0096] For this purpose, the shaft 44 has a first bearing surface 50 and a second bearing surface 52 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Each capsule carrier 18 has a contact surface 54 in a region of its first end 20 and in a region of its second end. The capsule carriers 18 are fixed or held in a form-fitting manner between the snap-fit connection 30 and the contact surfaces 54, or the bearing surfaces 50, 52, while the capsule carriers 18 are moved around the shaft 44.

[0097] FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of the shaft 44 according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 7. The shaft 44 has a sleeve 56, a first flange 58 and a second flange 60. The first bearing surface 50 is adjacent to the first flange 58 and the second bearing surface 52 is adjacent to the second flange 60.

[0098] In the present case, the sleeve 56 is arranged coaxially with the shaft 44 and surrounds it radially outwardly. The two flanges 58, 60 are designed to be axially movable and are also arranged coaxially with the shaft 44.

[0099] In this case, the sleeve 56 is coupled to the shaft 44 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a force-fit connection. In other words, the sleeve 56 rotates with the shaft 44 about the axis of rotation 37. Alternatively or additionally, the sleeve 56 can be coupled to the shaft 44 in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a form-fit connection by means of at least one coupling element (not shown).

[0100] In this case, the sleeve 56 can be rotated relative to the shaft 44 about the axis of rotation 37. This can be implemented, for example, by applying a force that overcomes the force-fit connection between the sleeve 56 and the shaft 44. If the sleeve 56 is connected to the shaft 44 by means of at least one coupling element, this connection must first be released so that the sleeve 56 can be rotated relative to the shaft 44.

[0101] The sleeve 56 is coupled to the two flanges 58 and 60 by means of a screw connection 68 in each case. For this purpose, the sleeve 56 has a left-hand thread in a region of its first end and a right-hand thread in a region of its second end, opposite the first end. Thus, a rotation of the sleeve 56 in a first direction of rotation causes an axial movement of the two flanges 58, 60 towards each other. A rotation of the sleeve 56 in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation, causes the two flanges 58, 60 to move axially away from each other.

[0102] The two flanges 58, 60 can be moved axially between a first position 62 shown in FIG. 7 and a second position 64 shown in FIG. 9. In the first position 62, the two flanges 58, 60 are at a minimum distance from each other. In the second position 64, the two flanges 58, 60 are at a maximum distance from each other.

[0103] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged detail of a sectional view of the shaft 44 of FIG. 5, wherein the first flange 58 and the second flange 60 are arranged in the second position 64.

[0104] The shaft 44 comprises two flexible elements 66, here designed as O-rings. The flexible elements 66 are arranged coaxially with the shaft 44.

[0105] Moving the two flanges 58, 60 into the first position 62 (towards each other) causes the two flexible elements 66 not to protrude radially outward beyond the bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. In other words, the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 are aligned in the axial direction with the radial outside (or radial outer circumference) of the flexible elements 66. The two bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44 and the radial outer diameter of the two flexible elements 66 are therefore equal. This allows the capsule carriers 18 to rest with their contact surfaces 54 on the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 (see FIGS. 5 to 8).

[0106] Moving the two flanges 58, 60 to the second position 64 (away from each other) causes the two flexible elements 66 to be moved radially outward. The radial outer side (radial outer circumference) of the flexible elements 66 projects radially outward beyond the bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. The radially outer diameter of the two flexible elements 66 is therefore larger than the diameter of the two bearing surfaces 50, 52 of the shaft 44. In the present case, the diameter of the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings is increased by the movement of the two flanges 58, 60 into the second position 64.

[0107] Thus, the flexible elements 66 press the capsule carriers 18 radially outward and out of their snap-fit connection 30 while they are moved around the shaft 44, so that the snap-fit connection 30 is released or opened in each case. This releases the capsule carriers 18 from the two chains 26, 28.

[0108] In order to increase the diameter of the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings, the shaft 44 has two pressure surfaces 39 oriented obliquely with respect to the axis of rotation 37 (see, for example, FIG. 8). When the two flanges 58, 60 move into the second position 64, they press on the flexible elements 66 and also move them axially away from each other. Due to the obliquely oriented pressure surfaces 39, the two flexible elements 66 are forced radially outwards into a radial movement. In other words, the diameter of the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings is expanded (enlarged) at the obliquely oriented pressure surfaces 39. The axial and radial movement of the two flexible elements 66 are superimposed on each other.

[0109] If the two flanges 58, 60 are moved into the first position 62 (towards each other), the restoring force of the flexible elements 66 (due to the flexibility of the flexible elements) forces them radially inward. In other words, the flexible elements 66, designed as O-rings, contract again and thereby reduce their diameter. Due to the obliquely oriented pressure surfaces 39, the flexible elements 66 are forced to move axially towards each other. Here, too, the axial and radial movement of the two flexible elements 66 are superimposed on each other.

[0110] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the shaft 44 according to FIG. 5. The ejection device 42 has a chute 70. By means of the chute 70, both the capsules 12 and the capsule carriers 18 can be guided out of the apparatus 10. The capsules 12 or the capsule carriers 18 fall onto the chute 70 due to gravity and slide out of the apparatus 10 on the chute 70.

[0111] During operation of the apparatus 10, the two flanges 58, 60 are arranged in the first position 62 (see FIG. 7). To dismantle the capsule carriers 18, the two flanges 58, 60 are moved to the second position 64. This is implemented by rotating the sleeve 56 about the axis of rotation 37 relative to the shaft 44. When the two flanges 58, 60 are arranged in the second position 64, the flexible elements 66 designed as O-rings have an enlarged diameter. The two flexible elements 66 thus protrude radially outwards beyond the two bearing surfaces 50, 52. This increases the hub diameter of the shaft 44, as it were.

[0112] When the capsule carriers 18 are now moved about the shaft 44 by means of the two chains 26, 28, they are pressed by means of the two chains 26, 28 against the flexible elements 66 projecting radially outwards. In this case, a radially outwardly-directed force is exerted on the capsule carriers 18, so that the capsule carriers 18 are pressed out of the snap-fit connections 30 (due to this radially outwardly-acting force).

[0113] As soon as the snap-fit connections 30 are released or opened, the capsule carriers 18 can fall off the two chains 26, 28 due to gravity. The capsule carriers 18 then land in the chute 70, which is arranged below the shaft 44 in the direction of gravity 41.