Installation for capsule handling with pneumatic gate.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- BR112022016564
- Authority / Receiving Office
- BR · BR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-01
Smart Images
Figure 00000010_0000 
Figure 00000010_0001 
Figure 00000011_0000
Abstract
Description
1 / 7 “INSTALLATION FOR CAPSULE TREATMENT WITH PNEUMATIC GATE” Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of packaging and, more particularly, to the closure of containers. Fundamentals of the Invention
[0002] It is known to close containers using closure elements such as capsules and caps.
[0003] Capsules (also called “caps”) generally comprise a piece of flexible sheet metal having one face covered by a layer of fusible material.
[0004] A heat-sealing installation typically includes a device for conveying capsules to the sealing station, where the capsules are placed into containers. The conveying device typically includes a sliding guide to receive two opposing parts of the peripheral edge of each capsule in a sliding manner, along with nozzles to blow air in the longitudinal direction of the sliding guide to cause the capsules to move along the sliding guide.
[0005] Sometimes it is necessary to temporarily interrupt the flow of capsules in a zone of the slide guide, for example, to apply a sterilization or decontamination operation to one or more capsules. A mechanical gate is generally used for this purpose, a gate that is moved between a position in which it projects into the slide guide and a position in which it is retracted outward from the slide guide. However, this solution has the drawback that the gate and the capsule come into contact with each other, risking damage to the edge of the capsule, which is particularly true if the capsule is moving at high speed. Furthermore, if the capsules are close to each other, it is necessary to ensure sufficient space between two capsules to allow time for the gate to assume its projecting position without risking hitting one of the capsules. Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, page 11 / 23 2 / 7
[0006] The covers are made of polymer or metal. A cover is shaped like an open cylinder with a base (also called a cap) and an annular wall or peripheral edge (also called a rim). Analogous disadvantages to those mentioned above can also affect the supply of covers when they are fed via a sliding guide. Object of the Invention
[0007] A particular object of the invention is to provide means for stopping at least one closing element that moves along a sliding guide. Summary of the Invention
[0008] To this end, according to the invention, a transport device is provided for transporting packaging closure elements, each having a peripheral edge, the device comprising both a sliding guide having two opposing longitudinal flanges receiving in a sliding manner two opposite parts of the peripheral edge of each closure element, and a drive means for moving the closure elements along the sliding guide. The device includes at least one transverse blow nozzle mounted in an orifice in one of the flanges of the sliding guide so as to eject an airflow towards the opposite flange, the transverse nozzle being associated with a control element to selectively enable or interrupt the air supply to the transverse blow nozzle.
[0009] Thus, it is a transverse airflow that stops the closing element, limiting or even eliminating impacts and thus reducing any risk of the closing elements being damaged and, more particularly, any risk of deformation of their peripheral edges.
[0010] Advantageously, the installation includes at least one suction nozzle that opens in the sliding guide so as to aspirate a portion of a closing element in front, the suction nozzle being associated with a control element to selectively allow or interrupt the air supply to the suction nozzle.
[0011] The suction nozzle serves to hold the closing element in position, further limiting any risk of deformation of the element. Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, page 12 / 23 3 / 7 closing. This is particularly useful when closing elements accumulate against the closing element that is being held in position.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting implementation of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013] Reference is made to the attached drawings, in which:
[0014] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view, partially in section, showing a capsule processing installation of the invention;
[0015] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view along axis IIII of Figure 1 showing a capsule transport device of the invention;
[0016] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the lll-lll axis of Figure 1 showing a capsule transport device of the invention;
[0017] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a capsule.
[0018] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a cover. Detailed Description of the Invention
[0019] The invention relates to the transport of capsules or caps, and is described below with reference to a capsule treatment plant for incorporation into a container filling and sealing plant (not shown). In this example, the treatment is decontamination; however, the invention is applicable to other types of treatment. Each capsule, given the reference C, is made of at least one piece of sheet metal having an inner face covered by a heat-sealable layer. Each capsule C has an annular peripheral edge in the form of a J-shaped skirt projecting from the inner face of capsule C. Opposite its inner face, capsule C has an outer face that may optionally bear markings.
[0020] With reference to the figures, in this example, the treatment installation of the invention comprises a support structure given reference 1, having mounted on it a decontamination enclosure, given general reference 5, and a capsule transport device, given general reference 10. Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, pp. 13 / 23 4 / 7
[0021] As an example, the decontamination enclosure 5 includes one or more nozzles for spraying a sterilizing chemical solution or even one or more emitters for emitting sterilizing radiation. The decontamination enclosure 5 thus defines a treatment zone, and has an entrance 5.1 and an exit 5.2.
[0022] The transport device 10 comprises a sliding guide 11 having an upper longitudinal flange 11.1 and a lower longitudinal flange 11.2 which are opposite each other and arranged to receive in a sliding manner two opposite parts of the skirt J of each capsule C. Between the two flanges 11.1 and 11.2, extends a web 11.3 against which extends the outer faces of the transported capsules C. The sliding guide 11 is fixed to the support structure 1.
[0023] The sliding guide 11 is equipped with longitudinal blow nozzles 20 arranged along the sliding guide 11 to eject an airflow in a longitudinal direction from the sliding guide 11 in order to move the capsules C along the sliding guide 11. The longitudinal blow nozzles 20 serve both to move the capsules C and to guide them. Each longitudinal blow nozzle 20 is fixed to a support 21 which is hinged to the upper flange 11.1 of the sliding guide 11 so as to be movable between an in-use position in which the longitudinal blow nozzle 20 is facing the web 11.3 in the vicinity of a longitudinal median plane 12 of the sliding guide 11 which extends perpendicularly to the web 11.3 between the two flanges 11.1 and 11.2, and a retracted position in which the longitudinal blow nozzle 20 is moved away from that plane so as to free up access to the space extending between the flanges 11.1 and 11.2, for example, for maintenance or cleaning operations.The longitudinal blow nozzles 20 are associated with a control element, such as a servo valve, to selectively allow or interrupt the air supply to the transverse blow nozzles 20.
[0024] The device also has two transverse blow nozzles 30, each mounted in a hole 13.1, 13.2 in a respective of the flanges 11.1 and 11.2 of the sliding guide 11 so as to eject an airflow towards the opposite flange 11.2 or 11.1, perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane 12. The holes 13.1 and 13.2 extend towards each other. The transverse blow nozzles 30 are Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, page 14 / 23 5 / 7 associated with a control element, such as a servo valve, to selectively allow or interrupt the air supply to the transverse blow nozzles 30.
[0025] Finally, the device includes at least one suction nozzle 40 that opens into an orifice in the flange 11.2 of the sliding guide 11, this orifice being located upstream of orifice 13.2 relative to the direction of movement of the capsules C along the sliding guide 11. The suction nozzle 40 is positioned to aspirate a portion of the skirt J of the capsule C that faces it. The suction nozzle 40 is connected to a vacuum duct by means of a control element, such as a servo valve, to selectively allow or interrupt suction by the suction nozzle 40.
[0026] The sliding guide 11 has a first segment 11A that extends upstream of the treatment zone to inlet 5.1, a second segment 11B that extends within the treatment zone from inlet 5.1 to outlet 5.2, and a third segment 11C that extends downstream of the treatment zone from outlet 5.2. The transverse blow nozzles 30 and the suction nozzle 40 are mounted on the second segment 11B and, more particularly, in the vicinity of outlet 5.2 from the decontamination enclosure 5.
[0027] The control elements are connected to an electronic control unit designed to operate the control elements in such a way as to be able to interrupt the flow of capsules C through the decontamination enclosure 5 by: Feed the transverse blow nozzles 30 to stop a capsule C near outlet 5.2; Connect suction nozzle 40 to the vacuum in order to aspirate the part of the skirt J of capsule C that was stopped facing the suction nozzle 40, with the flow from capsules C accumulating behind capsule C having its skirt J aspirated; Interrupt the feed to the transverse blow nozzles 30 to avoid the risk of damaging the J skirt of the first capsule stop C; return the suction nozzle 40 to ambient air once the capsules C that have accumulated in the treatment zone (as shown in Figure) have been removed. Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, pp. 15-23 6 / 7 1) They were there for the time necessary for them to be decontaminated, thus allowing the capsules to move again under the effect of the longitudinal airflow.
[0028] The electronic control unit can also operate the control elements of the longitudinal blow nozzles 20 so as to interrupt their air supply while the flow of capsules C is interrupted, and restore their air supply when the transverse blow nozzles 30 and the suction nozzle are no longer operating. The air supply to the longitudinal blow nozzles can be restored in a staggered manner, so as to start by moving the capsules that are near the outlet 5.2 and then move the preceding capsules so as to space the capsules C from each other.
[0029] When it is necessary to block only one capsule C for a period short enough so that there is no accumulation of capsules C, the electronic control unit operates only the transverse blow nozzles 30, keeping the suction nozzle 40 inactive.
[0030] The invention can naturally be used for transporting covers. As shown in Figure 5, each cover, given reference B, has an annular edge B', called a rim, projecting from an inner face F of the cover, called its cover. The rim B' on cover B has a cylindrical outer surface that may be provided with notches or other embossed geometric shapes to make cover B more adherent than if it had a smooth surface. The rim B' has an inner surface that may be provided with grooves and threads to allow cover B to be applied to and held in its packaging.
[0031] The installation for transporting the B covers is substantially identical to the installation described above in association with the C capsules.
[0032] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the implementation described, but encompasses any variant that falls within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
[0033] In particular, the installation may have a different structure than described.
[0034] The suction nozzle(s) may be located other than on a flange Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, pp. 16 / 23 7 / 7 of the sliding guide. For example, the suction nozzle can thus be positioned so as to open into a hole in the web of the sliding guide to suction a portion of the outer face of the closing element. The transport device does not need to have a suction nozzle.
[0035] The installation may include some other number of blow and / or suction nozzles. Thus, as an example, the installation may have a single transverse blow nozzle, particularly when the closing elements do not accumulate against the element that has been stopped.
[0036] The installation may include other means of movement besides one or more longitudinal blow nozzles. For example, the slide guide may be inclined to allow capsules or caps to move under gravity.
[0037] The longitudinal blow nozzles can be fixed to a single support and / or the support for the longitudinal blow nozzles does not need to be movable.
[0038] The suction nozzle 40 can open into a hole in one of the flanges 11.1 or 11.2 of the sliding guide 11 so as to aspirate a portion of the peripheral edge of a closing element C or B in front.
[0039] The longitudinal blow nozzle 20 can be fixed to a support 21 that is articulated to move between an in-use position in which the longitudinal blow nozzle 20 is located in close proximity to a longitudinal plane 12 of the sliding guide 11 that extends between its two flanges 11.1 and 11.2, and a retracted position in which the longitudinal blow nozzle 20 is located away from that longitudinal plane 12.
[0040] The transport device can be used for purposes other than the treatment of capsules or coatings. Petition 870220074627, dated 08 / 19 / 2022, pp. 17 / 23
Claims
1 / 2 CLAIMS 1. Installation for the treatment of packaging closure elements (C, B), each having a peripheral edge, the installation comprising a treatment zone and a transport device (10) for transporting the packaging closure elements (C, B), the device comprising both a sliding guide (11) having two opposing longitudinal flanges (11.1, 11.2) receiving slidingly two opposite parts of the peripheral edge of each closure element, and a drive means for moving the closure elements along the sliding guide (11), the installation being characterized in that the device (10) includes at least one transverse blow nozzle (30) mounted in an orifice (13.1, 13.2) in one of the flanges (11.1, 11.2) of the sliding guide so as to eject an airflow towards the opposite flange (11.2, 11.3).1), the transverse nozzle being associated with a control element to selectively allow or interrupt the air supply to the transverse blow nozzle (30), and wherein the sliding guide (11) has a first segment (11A) upstream of the treatment zone, a second segment (11B) in the treatment zone, and a third segment (11C) downstream of the treatment zone, the transverse blow nozzle (30) being mounted on the second segment (11B).
2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes two transverse blow nozzles (30) mounted opposite each other.
3. Installation, according to any one of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it includes at least one suction nozzle (40) that opens in the sliding guide (11) to hold a part of a front closing element (B, C), the suction nozzle (40) being associated with a control element to selectively allow or interrupt the air supply to the suction nozzle (40).
4. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the suction nozzle (40) opens into an orifice in one of the flanges (11.1, 11.2) of the sliding guide (11) so as to aspirate a portion of the peripheral edge of a closing element (C, B) opposite. Petition 870220074627, dated 19 / 08 / 2022, p. 18 / 23 2 / 2 5. Installation, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the means of moving the closing elements (C, B) comprises at least one longitudinal blow nozzle (20) disposed along the sliding guide (11) for ejecting an airflow along a longitudinal direction of the sliding guide (11).
6. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that the longitudinal blow nozzle (20) is fixed to a support (21) which is articulated to move between an in-use position in which the longitudinal blow nozzle (20) is located in close proximity to a longitudinal plane (12) of the sliding guide (11) extending between its two flanges (11.1, 11.2), and a retracted position in which the longitudinal blow nozzle (20) is located away from that longitudinal plane (12).
7. Installation, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the transverse blow nozzle (30) extends in the vicinity of an outlet (5.2) from the treatment zone. Petition 870220074627, dated 19 / 08 / 2022, p. 19 / 23