APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A CONTAINER WITH A CONTAINER CLOSURE

Abstract

An apparatus for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a drinks container with a roll-on closure, a screw type closure, a press-on closure, a crown cap and/or a press-in closure, comprising a lifting unit which can be displaced in a longitudinal direction and which has a guide unit for predetermining a position of the lifting unit in the longitudinal direction and a closure receiving member which is connected to the lifting unit via a pretensioning device for retaining a container closure and for applying the container closure to a container opening of a container which is intended to be closed with a head pressure which is predetermined by the pretensioning device, and an adjustment apparatus for automatically adjusting the head pressure which is predetermined by the pretensioning device; it further relates to a closure member which comprises an above-mentioned apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for closing a container with a container closure, comprising: a lifting unit configured to be displaced in a longitudinal direction and comprising a guide unit configured to predetermine a position of the lifting unit in the longitudinal direction; a closure receiving member that is connected to the lifting unit via a pretensioning device, wherein the closure receiving member is configured to retain the container closure and to apply the container closure to a container opening of the container, which is to be closed with a head pressure that is predetermined by the pretensioning device; and an adjustment apparatus configured to automatically adjust the predetermined head pressure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retention member configured to connect to a closure transport apparatus, wherein the lifting unit is arranged on the retention member so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the pretensioning device comprises an adjustment element that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit, the pretensioning device further comprises a compression spring element that is arranged between the adjustment element and the closure receiving member and provides the predetermined head pressure on the closure receiving member, a position of the adjustment element in the longitudinal direction is adjustable by the adjustment apparatus, the pretensioning device is arranged on the guide unit, and/or the adjustment element is retained on the guide unit in a displaceable manner.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the adjustment element is in a form of an adjustment rod, the adjustment element comprises a threaded portion via which the adjustment element is engaged with a threaded member of the pretensioning device, and/or the adjustment element is retained in a rotationally secure manner relative to the longitudinal direction on the lifting unit.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the adjustment element is retained in a rotationally secure manner relative to the longitudinal direction on the guide unit of the lifting unit via a pin that is guided in a groove in the lifting element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pretensioning device comprises an adjustment wheel configured to adjust the predetermined head pressure and an adjustment element displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the adjustment wheel is further configured to adjust a position of the adjustment element in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit, and/or the adjustment wheel and the adjustment element are connected in such a manner that the adjustment element is displaceable relative to the lifting unit by the adjustment wheel being rotated.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the adjustment wheel is in a form of a friction wheel, a wheel comprising a fluting, and/or a wheel comprising a tooth arrangement.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the pretensioning device comprises a gear mechanism, the gear mechanism is arranged between the adjustment wheel and the adjustment element, the gear mechanism provides a connection of the adjustment wheel and the adjustment element, and/or a gearwheel of the gear mechanism comprises a threaded member engaged with a threaded portion of the adjustment element.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the gear mechanism comprises a bevel gear mechanism, a worm gear pair, or a crosswise belt gear mechanism, and the gearwheel further comprises a bevel gear or a worm gear.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: the pretensioning device comprises a locking unit configured to lock the pretensioning device, the locking unit comprises a locking element that is movable relative to the adjustment wheel, and a pretensioning element configured to pretension the locking element relative to the adjustment wheel, and/or the locking element is in a form of a fork-like securing member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the locking unit is further configured to lock the adjustment wheel against rotation and/or to lock the adjustment element against displacement, and the pretensioning element comprises a spring.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the pretensioning device comprises an adjustment element that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit, the apparatus further comprises a position detection unit configured to detect a position of the adjustment element relative to the lifting unit, and the position detection unit comprises a sensor configured to detect the position of the adjustment element relative to the lifting unit when viewed in the longitudinal direction.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the adjustment apparatus is further configured to connect to the pretensioning device, the adjustment apparatus comprises a drive wheel connectable to an adjustment wheel of the pretensioning device, the drive wheel is in a form of a friction wheel, a wheel provided with a fluting, and/or a tooth arrangement, the drive wheel is configured to move towards the adjustment wheel to connect to the adjustment wheel and to move away from the adjustment wheel to be disconnected.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the adjustment apparatus further comprises a drive apparatus configured to automatically drive the adjustment apparatus, and the drive apparatus comprises a motor.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the adjustment apparatus further comprises an actuator unit configured to displace the drive wheel towards and away from the adjustment wheel.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the pretensioning device comprises a locking unit configured to lock the pretensioning device, the adjustment apparatus further comprises a release element configured to release the locking unit of the pretensioning device, the release element is movable at the same time as the drive wheel, the release element is configured to retain the locking unit in a released state when the drive wheel is positioned in a position connected to the adjustment wheel, and is configured not to act on the locking unit when the drive wheel is positioned in a position disconnected from the adjustment wheel, and the release element is pretensioned with respect to the drive wheel so as to be directed in a direction of the locking unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control/regulation configured to control or regulate the predetermined head pressure, wherein: the pretensioning device comprises an adjustment element that is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit, and the control/regulation is further configured to control or regulate a position of the adjustment element relative to the lifting unit.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the closure receiving member is releasably retained on the lifting unit.

20. A closure member for closing a container with a container closure, comprising: a rotatable closure carousel having a container receiving member configured to receive the container; and an apparatus arranged on the rotatable closure carousel in a manner associated with the container receiving member, wherein the apparatus comprises: a lifting unit configured to be displaced in a longitudinal direction and comprising a guide unit configured to predetermine a position of the lifting unit in the longitudinal direction; a closure receiving member that is connected to the lifting unit via a pretensioning device, wherein the closure receiving member is configured to retain the container closure and to apply the container closure to a container opening of the container, which is to be closed with a head pressure that is predetermined by the pretensioning device; and an adjustment apparatus configured to automatically adjust the predetermined head pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0055] Additional embodiments of the invention will be explained in greater detail by the following description of the Figures.

[0056] FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectioned view through a closure member for closing a container with a container closure;

[0057] FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectioned view of a portion of an apparatus for closing a container with a container closure of the closure member from FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective sectioned view of a part-region of the closure member from FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 4 schematically shows a side view of a detail of the apparatus according to FIGS. 1 to 3;

[0060] FIG. 5 schematically shows another side view of the detail of the apparatus from FIG. 4;

[0061] FIG. 6 schematically shows another side view of the detail of the apparatus from FIG. 4;

[0062] FIG. 7 schematically shows a perspective side view of the part-region from FIG. 3;

[0063] FIGS. 8 to 10 schematically show a side view of a detail of an apparatus for closing a container with a container closure according to another embodiment; and

[0064] FIG. 11 schematically shows a perspective side view of a detail of an apparatus for closing a container with a container closure according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Embodiments are described below with reference to the Figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different Figures are denoted with the same reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements is partially dispensed with in order to avoid redundancy.

[0066] FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectioned view through a closure member 100 for closing a container (not shown) with a container closure (not shown). The closure member 100 is in the form of a rotary construction type. It accordingly comprises a closure carousel 110 which can be rotated relative to a base frame 120 which is rigidly connected to the base of the environment and which can be rotated relative to the base frame 120 about a central rotation axis 101 in a predetermined rotation direction 102, wherein only one side of the closure member 100 is indicated here for the sake of clarity.

[0067] The closure member 100 comprises a large number of container receiving members 111 which are for receiving a container which is intended to be closed and which are arranged on the closure carousel 110 relative to the rotation axis 101 in a circumferential direction. Each container receiving member 111 is associated with an apparatus 1 for closing a container with a container closure and is arranged above it.

[0068] During normal operation of the closure member 100, per revolution of the closure carousel 110 in each container receiving member 111 a container which is intended to be closed is received, is closed by means of the apparatus 1 which is associated with the container receiving member 111 and the container which is then closed is guided out of the container receiving member 111 in order to make space for the next container which is intended to be closed and which is then received in the next revolution. It is thereby possible to close a continuous flow of containers with the closure member 100.

[0069] The apparatus 1 comprises a lifting unit 3 which is retained on the closure carousel 110 in a displaceable manner in a longitudinal direction orientated parallel with the rotation axis 101 and which comprises a guide unit 4 for predetermining the position of the lifting unit 3 in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the closure carousel 110. The guide unit 4 has to this end a guide element 5 in the form of a running roller which is guided along a lifting cam 121 which is provided on the base frame 120.

[0070] In order to allow the displaceability of the lifting unit 3 with respect to the closure carousel 110, the apparatus 1 comprises a retention member 6 which is securely arranged on the closure carousel 110 and on which the lifting unit 3 is displaceably retained in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0071] The apparatus 1 further comprises a closure receiving member 7 which is arranged on the lower side of the lifting unit 3 and which is connected to the lifting unit 3 via a pretensioning apparatus 8 which is described in detail below. The closure receiving member 7 is constructed to retain a container closure and to apply the container closure to a container opening, which is intended to be closed, of the container which is retained in the container receiving member 111. As a result of the pretensioning device 8, the application of the container closure to the container opening of the container via the closure receiving member 7 can be carried out with a predetermined head pressure which is provided by the pretensioning device 8.

[0072] An optional drive 9, via which the closure receiving member 7 can be rotated about the longitudinal direction 2, is provided on the retention member 6.

[0073] The apparatus further comprises an adjustment apparatus 10 which is arranged on the base frame 120 of the closure member 100 for automatically adjusting or changing the head pressure which is predetermined by the pretensioning device 8. The adjustment apparatus 10 comprises a drive apparatus 11, by means of which a drive wheel 12 of the adjustment apparatus 10 can be rotated.

[0074] The drive wheel 12 is connected to an adjustment wheel 13 of the pretensioning device 8 in such a manner that rotation of the drive wheel 12 brings about rotation of the adjustment wheel 13, as explained in greater detail below.

[0075] The adjustment wheel 13 being rotated brings about a change of the head pressure which is provided by the pretensioning device 8.

[0076] As indicated in FIG. 1, at least the drive wheel 12 of the adjustment apparatus 10 is displaceably constructed in the longitudinal direction 2. If the drive wheel 12 is moved away from the adjustment wheel 13, the drive wheel 12 and adjustment wheel 13 are disconnected from each other.

[0077] Thus, the lifting unit which is arranged on the closure carousel 110 can be moved with the pretensioning device 8 past the adjustment apparatus 10 in the direction of the rotation direction 102 without any contact being produced between the drive wheel 12 and the adjustment wheel 13, which contact could bring about an adjustment of the orientation of the adjustment wheel 13, consequently a rotation of the adjustment wheel 13.

[0078] If an adjustment of the head pressure is provided, initially the adjustment wheel 13 is arranged under the drive wheel 12 when viewed in the longitudinal direction 2 and subsequently the drive wheel 12 is moved towards the adjustment wheel 13 until they are in a connected state. The adjustment wheel 13 can then be moved by moving the drive wheel 12.

[0079] In order to provide the displacement of the drive wheel 12, the adjustment apparatus 10 comprises an actuator unit 26.

[0080] FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectioned view of a portion of the apparatus 1 from FIG. 1. The sectioned view in FIG. 2 shows a portion of the lifting unit 3 which is retained on the retention member 6. Furthermore, the guide unit 4 with the guide element 5 thereof and the pretensioning device 8 can be seen in detail.

[0081] The guide unit 4 is fixedly connected to the lifting unit 3 or securely attached thereto.

[0082] The pretensioning device 8 comprises an adjustment element 14, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the lifting unit 3 and which is guided in the guide unit 4, and a gear mechanism 15 which is arranged between the adjustment wheel 13 and the adjustment element 14 and which provides a connection of the adjustment wheel 13 and the adjustment element 14 in such a manner that rotation of the adjustment wheel 13 about a rotation axis 16, which is orientated perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 2, of the adjustment wheel 13 brings about displacement of the adjustment element 14 in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0083] To this end, the gear mechanism 15 is in the form of a bevel gear mechanism 15 which comprises a first bevel gear 17 which is rotationally connected to the adjustment wheel 13 and which can be rotated about the rotation axis 16 and a second bevel gear 18 which is rotatable about the longitudinal direction 2 and which is engaged with the first bevel gear 17. The second bevel gear 18 comprises an internal threaded member 19 which is engaged with an external threaded portion 20 of the adjustment element 14.

[0084] A rotation prevention member 21 which prevents the adjustment element 14 from being rotated about the longitudinal direction 2 is provided at the upper end of the adjustment element 14 in FIG. 2.

[0085] Accordingly, rotation of the adjustment wheel 13 about the rotation axis 16 brings about displacement of the adjustment element 14 in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0086] In order to prevent the adjustment wheel 13 and the adjustment element 14 from moving inadvertently, there is provided a locking unit 33 which locks the adjustment wheel 13 against rotation as described in greater detail below.

[0087] The pretensioning device 8 further comprises a compression spring element 22 which is constructed in this instance by two compression springs 23 which act in a parallel manner. The compression spring element 22 is arranged between the adjustment element 14 and the closure receiving member 7. The closure receiving member 7 (see FIG. 1) comprises to this end a connection cylinder 24 which extends in the longitudinal direction 2 in the lifting unit 3 and which is in contact with the end of the compression spring element 22 on the closure receiving member 7.

[0088] If the adjustment element 14 is moved towards the connection cylinder 24, the compression spring element 22 is subjected to (additional) compression so that the pretensioning which is applied by the pretensioning device 8 to the closure receiving member 7 increases, more specifically the pretensioning force which acts as a result of the pretensioning device 8 in the direction of the closure receiving member 7. If the adjustment element 14 moves away from the connection cylinder 24, the pretensioning force is reduced accordingly. The pretensioning force which is provided by the pretensioning device 8 is proportional to the head pressure provided, as is commonplace to a person skilled in the art.

[0089] FIG. 3 schematically shows a perspective sectioned view of a part-region of the closure member 100 from FIG. 1, wherein the drive wheel 12 is rotationally connected to the adjustment wheel 13, consequently the adjustment apparatus 10 and the pretensioning device 8 are in a state connected to each other.

[0090] The drive wheel 12 is connected to the drive apparatus 11 via a chain drive 27.

[0091] The apparatus 1 further comprises a position detection unit 34 for detecting the position of the adjustment element 14 relative to the lifting unit 3. A sensor 37 of the position detection unit 34 is arranged on the base frame 120 which establishes the spacing in the longitudinal direction 2 between itself and a sensor plate 35 which is arranged on the adjustment element 14.

[0092] FIG. 3 further indicates a control/regulation 36 which is configured to control/regulate the head pressure which is predetermined by the pretensioning device 8. According to this embodiment, the control/regulation 36 is connected to the actuator unit 26, the position detection unit 34 and the drive apparatus 11 and constructed to control/regulate the position of the adjustment element 14 relative to the lifting unit 3.

[0093] As a result of the position of the adjustment element 14 relative to the lifting unit 3, a conclusion can be drawn relating to the head pressure or it can be calculated. Accordingly, the control/regulation can establish a position of the adjustment element 14 corresponding to a predetermined head pressure which is intended to be adjusted and automatically move the adjustment element 14 to the required position by controlling/regulating the drive apparatus 11.

[0094] FIG. 4 schematically shows a side view of a detail of the apparatus 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in the region around the drive wheel 12 and the adjustment wheel 13, wherein the drive wheel 12 and the adjustment wheel 13 are in the connected state.

[0095] The drive wheel 12 and the adjustment wheel 13 are in the form of a friction wheel in each case. Accordingly, a transmission of the torque from the drive wheel 12 to the adjustment wheel 13 is carried out by a friction force or a friction moment. To this end, the actuator unit 26 presses the drive wheel 12 with a predetermined pressing force against the adjustment wheel 13.

[0096] It can be seen here that the locking unit 33 has a locking element 25 in the form of a fork-like securing member with opposing contact faces 28 which are directed in the direction of the adjustment wheel 13 and with which the locking unit 33 can be brought into contact with the adjustment wheel 13. The locking element 25 is pretensioned by means of pretensioning elements in the form of springs 29 in the direction of the adjustment wheel 13. This pretensioning causes the locking element 25 to be pressed with the contact faces 28 onto the external circumferential face of the adjustment wheel 13 and the adjustment wheel thus to be locked against rotation.

[0097] The adjustment apparatus 10 comprises a release element 30 for releasing the locking action, provided by the locking unit 33, of the adjustment wheel 13 which is constructed for simultaneous movement with the drive wheel 12 and which is pretensioned by means of a spring 31 in the direction of the locking unit 33.

[0098] Alternatively or additionally to the spring 31, an actuator, for example a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor, can also be provided to actively move the release element 30 in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the drive wheel 12.

[0099] Since the drive wheel 12 is in the state connected to the adjustment wheel 13, the release element 30 is in a state, in which it has moved the locking element 25 in the longitudinal direction 2 counter to the pretensioning provided by the springs 29 so that the contact faces 28 and the adjustment wheel 13 are moved out of engagement. It is thereby possible to rotate the adjustment wheel 13.

[0100] The state shown in FIG. 4 consequently corresponds to the connected state of the adjustment apparatus 10 and the pretensioning device 8 relative to each other.

[0101] FIG. 5 schematically shows the detail of the apparatus 1 from FIG. 4, wherein the drive wheel 12 has been moved away from the adjustment wheel 13 by means of the actuator unit 26 in the longitudinal direction so that there is no contact between the drive wheel 12 and adjustment wheel 13 any more and consequently no connection any more.

[0102] As a result of the pretensioning by the springs 31, the release elements 30 are still in contact with the locking unit 33, but have already been lifted by a specific amount in the longitudinal direction 2 so that the contact faces 28 are again in contact with the adjustment wheel 13 and thus lock the adjustment wheel 13 against rotation.

[0103] The state shown in FIG. 5 of the adjustment apparatus 10 and pretensioning device 8 relative to each other consequently corresponds to an intermediate state between the connected state and a disconnected state.

[0104] FIG. 6 schematically shows the detail of the apparatus 1 from FIG. 4, wherein the adjustment apparatus 10 is in a state disconnected from the pretensioning device 8. Accordingly, both the drive wheel 12 and the release elements 30 of the adjustment wheel 13 or the locking unit 33 are moved out of engagement.

[0105] A predetermined spacing 32 is provided between the lower side of the release elements 30 and the upper side of the locking unit 33.

[0106] The state shown in FIG. 6 consequently corresponds to the disconnected state of the adjustment apparatus 10 and pretensioning device 8 relative to each other.

[0107] FIG. 7 schematically shows a perspective side view of the part-region from FIG. 3, wherein the adjustment apparatus 10, more specifically the drive wheel 12 and the release elements 30, of the pretensioning device 8, more specifically the drive wheel 8 and the locking unit 33, are in the disconnected state according to FIG. 6.

[0108] FIGS. 8 to 10 schematically show a side view of a detail similar to the detail from FIGS. 4 to 6 of an apparatus 1 for closing a container with a container closure according to another embodiment. The apparatus 1 of FIGS. 8 to 10 substantially corresponds to that of FIGS. 1 to 7, wherein the adjustment apparatus 10 has a number of differences. Only these differences will be discussed below.

[0109] Unlike the embodiment described above, here the drive wheel 12 is pretensioned via a spring 31 against the actuator unit 26 and the release element 30 in the direction of the adjustment wheel 13. The release element 30 is directly connected to the actuator unit 26, consequently without any pretensioning as in the above-described embodiment.

[0110] In FIG. 8, the adjustment apparatus 10 and the pretensioning device 8 are in the disconnected state, accordingly with the predetermined spacing 32 from each other.

[0111] In FIG. 9, the release element 30 and the drive wheel 12 are moved towards the adjustment wheel 13 in the longitudinal direction 2 until the drive wheel 12 moves into contact with the adjustment wheel 13 for the first time. According to this embodiment, the release element 30 is simultaneously placed on the locking element 25 but without having already moved it in the longitudinal direction 2. The contact faces 28 of the locking element 25 consequently continue to be in contact with the adjustment wheel 13 and lock it against rotation. Consequently, the state shown in FIG. 9 constitutes an intermediate state similar to FIG. 5.

[0112] FIG. 10 shows the connected state between the adjustment apparatus 10 and the pretensioning device 8. In this state, an automatic adjustment of the head pressure provided by the pretensioning device 8 is possible.

[0113] In comparison with FIG. 9, the release element 30 has been moved via the actuator unit 26 further in the direction of the adjustment wheel 13 so that the locking element 25 has been displaced in the longitudinal direction 2 and is no longer in contact with the adjustment wheel 13 by means of the contact faces 28 thereof. Accordingly, it is possible to rotate the adjustment wheel 13.

[0114] The drive wheel 12 is pressed against the adjustment wheel 13 via the spring 31. The drive force which is necessary to transmit the friction moment is thereby provided. In some embodiments, the spring 31 is in the form of a mechanical spring, as indicated in FIG. 9, and/or a pneumatic spring 31, for example in the form of a pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively or additionally to the spring 31, an actuator can also be provided to actively move the release element 30 as described in relation to FIG. 4.

[0115] In this embodiment, the adjustment wheel 13 is always in contact either with the contact faces 28 or the drive wheel 12, therefore it is at no time freely rotatable. An undesirable adjustment of the angular position of the adjustment wheel 13, for example, as a result of vibrations, after it has lost contact with the contact faces 28 and before it achieves contact with the drive wheel 12 is consequently prevented.

[0116] FIG. 11 schematically shows a perspective side view of a detail of an apparatus 1 for closing a container with a container closure according to another embodiment. The apparatus 1 substantially corresponds to the one of FIGS. 1 to 3. It differs from the apparatus 1 from FIG. 1 in terms of the type of gear mechanism 15 used to connect the adjustment wheel 13 to the adjustment element 14. Furthermore, the adjustment wheel 13 is in the form of a friction wheel which is provided with a tooth arrangement here.

[0117] As can be seen in FIG. 11, the gear mechanism 15 in this embodiment is in the form of a worm gear mechanism 15 which provides the connection of the adjustment wheel 13 and the adjustment element 14 in such a manner that rotation of the adjustment wheel 13 about the rotation axis 16, orientated perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 2, of the adjustment wheel 13 brings about displacement of the adjustment element 14 in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0118] To this end, a worm 38, orientated in the direction of the rotation axis 16, of the worm gear mechanism 15 is provided at the side of the adjustment wheel 13 or rotationally connected thereto. The worm 38 is in engagement with a worm gear 39 which is arranged at the side of the adjustment element 14.

[0119] The worm gear 39 comprises, similarly to FIG. 2, an internal threaded member 19 which is not shown here and which is in engagement with the external threaded portion 20 of the adjustment element 14.

[0120] According to this optional embodiment, the transmission ratio of the worm gear pair is 9 to 1.

[0121] If applicable, all the individual features which are set out in the embodiments can be combined with each other and/or replaced with each other without departing from the scope of the invention.