Cyclically operating machine for filling containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cyclically operating machine for filling containers and closing them with caps. A closure station thereof includes a cap feeder for feeding the caps to the containers, and a sorting device for aligning and separating the caps and transferring them to the cap feeder. The cap feeder positions the caps individually on a respective container and closes the container with the cap. The cap feeder is arranged such that it can be moved back and forth, and is provided with a drive which is designed for moving the cap feeder.

Description

PRIOR ART[0001]The present invention relates to a cyclically operating machine for filling and closing containers, such as containers for medications.[0002]Machines for filling and closing containers are known in various embodiments from the prior art. In principle, a distinction is made between cyclical machines and continuous machines. In continuous machines, containers are continuously filled with a product and then closed with a cap or the like. The filled containers are moved continuously past a closure station. Such continuously operating machines are very complicated in their construction, however, and are thus quite expensive. This is why cyclically operating machines also exist, which can be produced markedly less expensively. Because of the cyclical mode of operation, such cyclical machines have a relatively lower yield, and the containers to be filled are typically moved forward intermittently, being in motion approximately one-third of the time and at a stop approximatel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Also preferably, the sorting device of the closure station is disposed in stationary fashion, and there is a gap between the movable cap feeder and the sorting device. At the gap, there is a transfer path at the sorting device for transferring the caps from the sorting device to the cap feeder. Because of the stationary sorting device, the mass that must be moved in the motion of the cap feeder can in particular be reduced.

[0006]Also preferably, the sorting device of the closure station is disposed in stationary fashion, and there is a gap between the movable cap feeder and the sorting device. At the gap, there is a transfer path at the sorting device for transferring the caps from the sorting device to the cap feeder. Because of the stationary sorting device, the mass that must be moved in the motion of the cap feeder can in particular be reduced.

[0007]In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the sorting device is fixed on the cap feeder and is disposed movably jointly with the cap feeder. As a result, in particular the transfer path between the sorting device and the cap feeder for transferring the caps can be constructed quite simply. The sorting device and the cap feeder are preferably fixed on a plate or the like which is disposed movably.

[0008]Also preferably, the cap feeder includes an essentially horizontal rail region and an essentially vertical rail region. The caps are delivered from the sorting device first to the horizontal rail region and then to the vertical rail region and from the vertical rail region they are slipped onto to the containers.

[0012]In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure station further includes a lever, for converting a rotary motion of the drive mechanism into a linear reciprocating motion of the cap feeder. As a result, an especially simple, economical construction of the machine can be attained.

[0010]Preferably, the cap feeder includes only one essentially vertical rail region, so that the sorting device 3 is disposed directly on the vertical rail region, and the caps are transferred from the device directly into the vertical rail region. As a result, an especially compact construction can be attained.

[0011]Also preferably, a differential speed of the motion between the cap feeder and the intermittently delivered containers is constant, both when the containers are stopped and when the containers are in motion. As a result, a secure closure of the containers with caps can be made possible. Thus for both containers in motion and stopped containers, the caps can be placed onto the containers at the same speed. Alternatively, a differential speed between the cap feeder and the containers is not constant.

[0012]In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure station further includes a lever, for converting a rotary motion of the drive mechanism into a linear reciprocating motion of the cap feeder. As a result, an especially simple, economical construction of the machine can be attained.

Problems solved by technology

Such continuously operating machines are very complicated in their construction, however, and are thus quite expensive.

However, with cyclical machines, it has been found that particularly the closure of the filled containers with a cap or the like is problematic and time-consuming, and the closure station is a in capacity in terms of the yield of the cyclical machines.

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