Method for closing containers by means of a closure in a gripping device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for closing containers with a closure in a gripping device. The method consists of a series of steps. First, the closure is picked up in the gripping device, then the container is picked up in the gripping device, the container is closed with the closure in the gripping device, and the closed container is deposited by the gripping device. The gripping device is displaced by a handling unit from a first position in to a second position for transporting the container, and the container is closed whilst the handling unit is displaced by the gripping device.

Description

PRIOR ART[0001]The present invention relates to a method for closing containers by means of a closure in a gripper device, which method makes it possible to design a production flow flexibly.[0002]From the prior art, packaging machines with rotating star wheels are known. By means of these star wheels, bottle-like containers are separated and conveyed. The closure is done by so-called pick-and-place units, which are disposed above the containers or star wheels. These pick-and-place units close the containers, for instance with stoppers, by means of revolving, horizontally or vertically positioned stopper wheels or with revolving, cam-controlled stopper setting assemblies. This type of closure dictates considerable expense for format parts, since the construction of these star wheels and setting assemblies is predetermined by the containers and closures. Moreover, the methods of the prior art do not allow flexible design of the workflow in filling and closure operations.ADVANTAGES OF...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The dependent claims shown preferred refinements of the invention.

[0005]Preferably, the method provides that the closure is picked up by means of a tow-away motion, and the closure is towed away from a tow-away position. During the tow-away motion, the gripper device moves continuously, that is, without stopping, relative to the tow-away position. Thus the closure can be picked up in the gripper device during the travel, that is, during the transporting operation, without losing time. Thanks to this preferable refinement of the method of the invention, both picking up the closure and closing the container can be integrated into the transporting operation of the manipulation unit.

[0006]In an especially preferred embodiment the tow-away motion is embodied in curved fashion. Thus the closure can be picked up in pocket by means of a preferably linear or curved opening in the gripper device.

[0007]It is also preferred that the gripper device moves at constant speed from the furnishing position to the parking position. This means that both the transporting operation and the tow-away motion are performed at the same speed.

[0008]In a further advantageous refinement, it is provided that the gripper device can pick up at least two containers and accordingly also at least two closures. As a result, the method can be adapted to the cadence of the production chain, and the effectiveness of the production can be optimized.

[0009]It is also advantageous to tow a plurality of closures away with only one tow-away motion. Thus the manipulation unit need not perform a curved tow-away motion for every closure operation, and the resultant fluid flow of the transporting operation speeds up production.

[0013]Moreover, by rescinding the underpressure or by subjection to underpressure, two things can be attained: First, the closure can be set down on the container, and second, the container can be released from the container receptacle at a certain time and thus at a certain position.

[0014]It is also provided according to the invention that the intake means of the container and closure each be provided independently with underpressure. As a result, aspirating the container is independent from a possible pressure increase in the intake means of the closure, and vice versa. For instance, if the gripper device fails to pick up a closure because of a malfunction, or if the closure becomes detached from the gripper device, the pressure at the closure intake means rises. Because of the separate underpressure supply, according to the invention, to the container intake means, the underpressure at the container remains constant, and the container does not become detached from the gripper device. Securing the container in this way by the separate underpressure supply is especially advantageous if the content of the container, in the event that it is poured out, could damage the surrounding machines or harm a human being.

[0015]The application of the method of the invention in the pharmaceutical industry is also preferred. Especially in the area of small to medium-size batches, the gripper device of the invention and the manipulation unit of the invention offer a novel possibility for flexible design of the production chain. For instance, the method is used for inserting pharmaceutical stoppers in containers. The containers in that case are filled with pharmaceutical substances, and the pharmaceutical stopper is of rubberlike material.

[0016]It is also provided according to the invention to operate the manipulation unit inside an insulator, the insulator being disposed like a hood element above the gripper device. Thus it is even possible to close the containers in an inert gas or in a vacuum.

Problems solved by technology

This type of closure dictates considerable expense for format parts, since the construction of these star wheels and setting assemblies is predetermined by the containers and closures.

Moreover, the methods of the prior art do not allow flexible design of the workflow in filling and closure operations.

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