Sealing device for closing a container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a container (100) with a corresponding cover (101), the sealing device comprising a sealing head (10) for securing the cover (101) to the container (100), a first sealing roller (11) having a first sealing profile (110), and a second sealing roller (12) having a second sealing profile (120); wherein the sealing head (10) is arranged between the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) such that the container (100) together with the cover (101) can be centrally secured between the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) in operation. The invention is characterized in that the sealing device (1) includes a rotary driver (20) drivably connected to the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12), wherein the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) are rotatable around the sealing head (10) by means of the rotary driver (20), thereby enabling the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) to move along the periphery of a container (100) immovably secured by means of the sealing head (10) in an operating state with the first sealing profile (110) and the second sealing profile (120), wherein the container flange (102) of the container (100) is rotatable with the cover flange (103) of the cover (101).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sealing device (Falzvorrichtung) for closing a container using a lid. The invention also relates to a sealing machine having the sealing device according to the invention, and a method for closing the container using the lid. Background Technology

[0002] When filling beverage or food cans, the cans, after being filled with the beverage or food, pass through a can sealing machine. The filled cans enter via a supply path, while the lids enter via a separate supply path. The can sealing machine typically has multiple identical stations arranged in a rotary conveyor belt configuration, where the cans are sealed using lids. These stations are typically runners arranged vertically. The lids are guided onto the cans and held in place by a retaining plate of the sealing head. This retaining also secures the cans, preventing them from slipping off the circular track along the sealing machine due to centrifugal force. In the sealing machine, the cans and lids are sealed at the edge side via sealing rollers. Typically, the cans and lids also rotate additionally about their own axis of symmetry using the sealing head.

[0003] This type of can sealing machine is described in DE749636 and DE4234115A1. The can sealing machine includes a clamping device for receiving cans to be sealed. In operation, the can to be sealed is introduced into the clamping device and secured therein in both the axial and radial directions. A lid is similarly introduced centrally onto the opening of the can to be sealed. In the region of the can opening, the can has a surrounding can flange, and the lid has a surrounding lid flange. To close the can opening with the lid, the can sealing machine additionally includes two sealing rollers rotatably supported about an axis, which press the can flange and lid flange against each other by a substantially radial force, wherein the pressing is achieved by the rotation of the can, through continuous rolling in the circumferential direction along the periphery of the can opening.

[0004] Another can sealing machine is known from GB2098899A. This can sealing machine includes a clamping device for receiving the can to be sealed and a sealing roller. In operation, the can to be sealed is introduced into the clamping device and fixed therein in the axial and radial directions. A can lid is similarly introduced centrally onto the opening of the can to be sealed. In the region of the can opening, the can has a surrounding can flange, and the can lid has a surrounding can lid flange. To close the can opening with the can lid, the can sealing machine includes a sealing roller rotatably supported about an axis, which presses the can flange and the can lid flange against each other, wherein the pressing, caused by continuous rolling along the periphery of the can opening in the circumferential direction, is achieved by the rotation of the can about its own axis.

[0005] To illustrate this closed module, refer to the following text. Figure 6 The prior art described above is illustrated in slightly more detail with reference to the figure. To distinguish the prior art from the present invention, reference numerals for features relating to known examples of the apparatus are enclosed in single quotes, while features according to embodiments of the present invention are enclosed in reference numerals without single quotes.

[0006] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a known can sealing machine 1′ is shown, which has a can 100′ to be sealed and a can cover 101′.

[0007] according to Figure 6 The known closure module 1' includes a clamping device comprising a can support 22' and a sealing head 10', and a sealing roller 11' rotatably supported around a pin, the sealing roller having a sealing roller profile. A can lid 101' is centrally positioned over the opening of the can 100'. The can 100' has a surrounding can flange in the region of the can opening, and the can lid 101' has a surrounding can lid flange.

[0008] During the sealing process, the sealing roller 11' contacts the can flange and the can lid flange via the sealing roller profile. Here, the can flange and the can lid flange are pressed against each other by a substantially radial force via the sealing roller 11'. The pressing is achieved by the sealing roller 11' continuously rolling along the periphery of the can opening in the circumferential direction, for which the can 100' rotates about axis X' by means of the sealing head 10' and the can support 22'. Sealing the can 100' using the can lid 101' preferably produces a double seal (Doppelfalz).

[0009] The sealing roller 11' disclosed in GB2098899A for sealing a can 100' consists of a pin and a rotatable rotating body 11', which rests against the can 100' in the form of a sealing profile. The rotating body 11' is cylindrical and has a first circular base side and a second circular base side opposite to the first circular base side. Inside the sealing roller 11' is a support for receiving the pin, wherein the pin is supported in the support via the first base side. Therefore, when sealing the can 100', the rotating body 11' can rotate about the pin in the circumferential direction of the second base side. Here, the sealing profile contacts the can lid 101', and the can 100' then rotates along its can axis X' to seal it.

[0010] For this purpose, the tank 100′ is lifted from below and guided to the roll head 10′ in operation, where the tank is axially fixed and rotated by the roll head 10′.

[0011] A significant drawback of existing devices is their lack of flexibility, particularly when precise division is required and the container must move during closure. Furthermore, due to the mechanical connections of all movements, existing devices cannot be freely parameterized, and the feed motion must be performed with great precision over a very large area. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device and a method for sealing containers, which avoid the disadvantages known from the prior art. In particular, it is to provide a flexible sealing device that can not only process different container sizes, but also avoid the segmentation problems when transitioning between different processing stations.

[0013] The task is accomplished by a sealing device according to the invention, a method for sealing a container, and a sealing device including the sealing device according to the invention. According to the invention, a sealing device for sealing a container using corresponding caps is proposed, comprising a sealing head for securing the cap to the container, a first sealing roller having a first sealing profile, and a second sealing roller having a second sealing profile. Here, the sealing head is arranged between the first and second sealing rollers such that the container, along with the cap, can be centrally secured between the first and second sealing rollers in operation. The invention is characterized in that the sealing device includes a rotary actuator drivenly connected to the first and second sealing rollers, wherein the first and second sealing rollers rotate around the sealing head by means of the rotary actuator, thereby allowing the first and second sealing rollers to move in operation along the periphery of the container, which is immovably secured by the sealing head, using the first and second sealing profiles, wherein the container flange can be sealed with the cap flange of the cap. Therefore, the first and second sealing rollers rotate around the container during operation, while the container does not move.

[0014] Within the scope of this invention, a rotary drive can be understood as a drive suitable for placing a component in a rotating position. However, for this purpose, the rotary drive does not necessarily rotate itself. Drive connection here means that the sealing roller is connected to the rotary drive in the operating state such that it can be placed in a rotating position by the drive. In a particular embodiment, the sealing head can be centrally or potentially centrally (if a movable sealing roller is present) arranged between the first sealing roller and the second sealing roller. The container along with the cap can be centrally (or potentially centrally) secured between the first sealing roller and the second sealing roller or between a plurality of sealing rollers in the operating state, meaning that the container along with the cap is arranged between (at least) two sealing rollers (e.g., the first and second sealing rollers) during sealing, which simultaneously apply forces for sealing such that sealing is performed simultaneously by (at least) two sealing rollers (i.e., the sealing rollers can simultaneously move along the periphery of the container, which is immovably secured by the sealing head). This, in particular, ensures at least partially the symmetrical force action of the sealing rollers on the container.

[0015] According to the present invention, a method for sealing a container using a corresponding cap is also provided. The method according to the present invention includes the following steps: a) providing a sealing device according to the present invention;

[0016] b) Introducing the container and cap into the sealing device according to the invention;

[0017] c) Apply the cap to the opening of the container; d) Secure the container and the cap centrally and immovably between the first and second sealing rollers using a roll sealer;

[0018] e) Rotate the first sealing roller and the second sealing roller around the sealing head, thereby causing the first sealing roller and the second sealing roller to move along the periphery of the container with the first sealing profile and the second sealing profile, wherein the container flange of the container is sealed with the cover flange of the cover.

[0019] The sealing device not only minimizes the area in which precise feeding must be performed, but also provides an autonomous sealing device that eliminates the mechanical connections known in the prior art.

[0020] The container can be a can, and the lid can be a can lid; thus, the sealing machine is designed accordingly as a can sealing machine. To seal the container, the sealing roller, in its operating state, contacts the lid flange and the container flange with its sealing profile. By rotating the sealing roller around the sealing head and thus around the container, the sealing roller rotates around the container in the circumferential direction, wherein the lid flange and the container flange are sealed together. It is crucial here that the container is secured when closed, i.e., it does not move and, in particular, does not rotate, as is the case in devices known from the prior art.

[0021] Within the scope of this invention, a can can be understood as a rotationally symmetrical container that is closed by means of a can closing machine and associated sealing rollers. The can may preferably comprise metal, particularly aluminum. However, the container need not be rotationally symmetrical. In particular, it is sufficient that the container flange is rotationally symmetrical.

[0022] The first and second sealing rollers can rotate around the axis of the sealing head, and in operation, the container is arranged with its container axis in the axis of the sealing head.

[0023] In practice, the first and second sealing rollers can be arranged at the sealing roller assembly, wherein the rotary drive includes a sealing driver drivenly connected to the sealing roller assembly, which can rotate the sealing roller assembly at a first angular velocity, thereby enabling the first and second sealing rollers in operation to move along the periphery of a container immovably secured by a sealing head with first and second sealing profiles. Here, the sealing rollers can be rotatably arranged at the sealing roller assembly, such that the sealing rollers, in operation, forcefully contact the container, move along their respective sealing profiles at the periphery of the container, and thus rotate about their own axes. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing driver can be designed as a first servo driver.

[0024] Furthermore, the sealing roller assembly can be arranged around the sealing head, and the rotation axis of the sealing roller assembly can correspond to the sealing head axis. In this embodiment, the sealing roller assembly can preferably be annular and arranged around a circular sealing head. The sealing head axis also preferably corresponds to the axis of symmetry of the container, around which the sealing roller rotates in operation.

[0025] Furthermore, the rotary drive may include a sealing roller drive connected to the first sealing roller and / or the second sealing roller drive, wherein the first sealing roller can rotate along the first sealing profile and / or the second sealing roller can rotate along the second sealing profile in operation, thereby enabling the first and second sealing rollers to move along the periphery of a container immovably secured by a sealing head. The rotary drive may include not only a sealing drive but also a sealing roller drive. The sealing roller drive may in particular be designed as a second servo drive. Preferably, the first sealing roller rotates along the first sealing profile, while the second sealing roller rotates along the second sealing profile, wherein the first and second sealing rollers rotate synchronously and at a fixed angular interval from each other. If the sealing rollers are arranged at a sealing roller assembly, the sealing roller drive may also be considered a sealing drive, since the sealing roller assembly also moves via the rotation of the sealing rollers.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sealing device includes a third sealing roller having a third sealing profile and a fourth sealing roller having a fourth sealing profile for sealing the container flange and the cap flange of the lid. The sealing head is arranged such that it is positioned between the third and fourth sealing rollers (and also between the first and second sealing rollers), particularly centrally, so that the container, along with the cap, can be centrally secured between the third and fourth sealing rollers in operation. The third and fourth sealing rollers are driven by a rotary driver, which allows them to rotate around the sealing head, thereby enabling them to move along the periphery of the container, which is immovably secured by the sealing head, in operation. The container flange can be sealed with the cap flange.

[0027] The third and fourth sealing rollers are also preferably rotatable about the sealing head axis, in which the container is arranged with its container axis in operation. Furthermore, the third and fourth sealing rollers can be arranged at the sealing roller assembly similarly to the first and second sealing rollers and can rotate with the sealing roller assembly at a first angular velocity via a sealing drive, thereby allowing the third and fourth sealing rollers to move along the periphery of the container, which is immovably secured by the sealing head, in operation.

[0028] Furthermore, the rotary drive may preferably include a roll sealing roller drive connected to the third roll sealing roller and / or the fourth roll sealing roller drive, wherein the third roll sealing roller can rotate along the third roll sealing profile by means of the roll sealing roller drive in the operating state and / or the fourth roll sealing roller can rotate along the fourth roll sealing profile by means of the roll sealing roller drive in the operating state, so that the third roll sealing roller and the fourth roll sealing roller can move along the periphery of the container that is immovably secured by the roll sealing head in the operating state with respect to the third roll sealing profile and the fourth roll sealing profile.

[0029] Furthermore, the third and fourth sealing rolls can rotate synchronously and at a fixed angular interval from each other, as well as relative to the first and second sealing rolls.

[0030] In practice, the sealing apparatus according to the invention must include a large number of sealing rollers. Of course, any number can be used. The sealing apparatus may particularly preferably include two, three, four, or five sealing rollers. The measures described above for the first, second, third, and fourth sealing rollers can also be applied accordingly to the other sealing rollers of the sealing apparatus. Within the scope of this application, "sealing roller," unless precisely specified, is used as a synonym for any number of sealing rollers. In practice, it is particularly preferred that each sealing roller is connected to its own sealing roller driver, which is particularly designed as a servo driver, so that the sealing roller can rotate along its sealing profile.

[0031] In a very important embodiment, the sealing device includes four sealing rollers arranged, particularly in a quadrilateral shape, especially in a square shape around the sealing head (i.e., symmetrically spaced around the sealing head at equal intervals). Here, the first sealing roller, the sealing head, and the third sealing roller can be arranged on a first straight line (on opposite sides of the sealing head), and the second sealing roller, the sealing head, and the fourth sealing roller can be arranged on a second straight line (on opposite sides of the sealing head). In particular, the first and second straight lines can extend orthogonally to each other.

[0032] The sealing device may include a motion mechanism connected to a first and / or third sealing roller and a second and / or fourth sealing roller. The first and / or third sealing rollers can move along a first straight line via this motion mechanism, and the third and / or fourth sealing rollers can move along a second straight line, thereby achieving suitability for different sealing qualities, such as for containers of different sizes, because the sealing rollers can move towards or away from the sealing head. The first and third sealing rollers preferably have the same sealing profile, and the second and fourth sealing rollers also preferably have the same sealing profile but a different sealing profile than the first and third sealing rollers. In operation, the first and third sealing rollers move towards the center (sealing head / container) with the same feed motion as in the first operation, and the second and fourth sealing rollers move towards the center (sealing head / container) with the same feed motion as in the second operation. The force acting on the sealing head is offset by the symmetrical arrangement of the sealing rollers. Furthermore, significantly less time is required to seal the container because less rotational motion is needed to seal the container due to the large number of relatively stationary sealing rollers.

[0033] In principle, each sealing roller can be driven to its corresponding sealing roller driver via a corresponding shaft connection. Here, the corresponding shaft connection may include an eccentric connection, so that the corresponding sealing roller is arranged eccentrically relative to the axis of rotation of the sealing roller driver. Preferably, all shaft connections of the sealing roller include eccentric connections (also referred to as eccentric axis connections).

[0034] If the sealing roller is connected to the sealing roller carrier, such as the sealing roller assembly or sealing roller driver, via an eccentric connection, the gap of the sealing roller can be adjusted by adjusting the eccentric connection (motion device), thereby achieving a sealing quality suitable for different sizes of containers.

[0035] For this purpose, the worm gear can be rotated, and the eccentricity of the eccentric connection allows for radial adjustment toward or away from the container axis / capping head axis. This movement reduces or increases the distance between the capping rollers or between the capping roller and the capping head (gap).

[0036] In embodiments of the invention, the roll-on end cap may include a gas supply section for supplying gas, particularly an inert gas, to the container. Furthermore, the roll-on end cap may include a suction device for suctioning the cap, whereby the cap can be suctioned and placed onto the opening of the container.

[0037] In this regard, the invention also includes a hollow shaft for a sealing device, particularly a sealing device according to the invention, wherein the hollow shaft includes a first end for fixing the sealing head and a second end arranged opposite to the first end, the second end being connected to a supply device. The first end is flow-connected to the second end via a recess (cavity / channel / line) within the hollow shaft. This allows a vacuum to be applied to the sealing head and / or liquid / gas to be discharged from the sealing head via a recess in the hollow shaft from the supply device. If the hollow shaft is integrated into the sealing device according to the invention, it is arranged as a sealing head shaft for fixing the sealing head to the sealing device.

[0038] According to the present invention, a sealing device for sealing a container, including a sealing device according to the present invention, is also proposed.

[0039] The sealing machine according to the invention may include a container supply unit. The container supply unit may be designed as a conveyor belt. The arrangement according to the invention eliminates the need for container clamping (as is done in the prior art by means of spring assemblies and sealing heads). The sealing device according to the invention can easily approach and completely autonomously close the container, as the sealing device is movable due to the lack of mechanical couplings. Therefore, the sealing device preferably includes an autonomous motion mechanism that allows the sealing device to move flexibly in all spatial directions. In particular, due to the free movement of the sealing device according to the invention, the container can be easily touched / approached from above. Since the container does not rotate about its axis during the closing process, the container can even be closed while it is moving on the conveyor belt, where the sealing device according to the invention follows the movement of the conveyor belt. Therefore, the sealing device may preferably include a detector system, particularly a camera system, for positioning the container. Thus, the sealing device according to the invention can be used to seal containers on any substrate.

[0040] A camera system used for positioning a container can also be used to orient a lid on the container. For this purpose, the container may include an orienting device on at least one container component. The lid is oriented relative to the orienting device at the container opening. The oriented lid is then applied to the container opening. The orienting device may be a label on the container, wherein the lid is oriented such that the label / orienting device is visible when the container is in a drinking orientation. The orientation of the lid can be achieved by arranging the roll cap rotatably about its axis, so that the lid can be oriented by rotating the roll cap.

[0041] In principle, the sealing machine may also include at least two sealing rollers, preferably with different sealing profiles, to seal the container according to the double-sealing principle, where the container is generally sealed in two stages. One sealing roller is responsible for one stage. One sealing roller produces a pre-sealing, while the second sealing roller completely seals the container with a final sealing. Specifically, the first and third sealing rollers can be designed as pre-sealing rollers for constructing the pre-sealing, and the second and fourth sealing rollers can be designed as final sealing rollers for constructing the final sealing. During container sealing, the first and third sealing rollers can first move their sealing profiles toward the container to contact it, allowing them to rotate around the container to construct the pre-sealing. Then, the second and fourth sealing rollers can move their sealing profiles toward the container to contact it, allowing them to rotate around the container to construct the final sealing. Furthermore, closure can be achieved based on the principle of a double-sealing section, wherein the sealing roller includes a sealing profile comprising a first region for pre-sealing and a second region for final sealing. Alternatively, the sealing roller may also include two different sealing profiles arranged at two different locations on the sealing roller.

[0042] Therefore, the roll can be rolled up in the first working process, and in the second working process the roll can be smoothed to the required tightness (final roll).

[0043] In the method according to the invention, before the container and cap are introduced into the sealing device according to the invention, concentricity correction of the sealing roller can be performed by moving the sealing roller upward toward the sealing head (feed) and rotating it around the sealing head. As it rotates around the sealing head, a concentricity sensor (e.g., a spacing sensor or a force sensor) can determine unevenness in the sealing head and / or the sealing roller, and correct the unevenness by adapting the feed of the sealing roller relative to the sealing head (the position of the sealing roller relative to the sealing head) when closing the container.

[0044] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container is riveted before the cap flange and container flange are rolled together. The can flange and container flange are riveted (and also crimped: connecting plates without the use of additional materials) by bending the cap flange around the container flange to such an extent that the cap is secured to the container, but the container is not yet closed by the cap. Riveting can be achieved by the device according to the invention or via an upstream device. In particular, the container can be evacuated after riveting. Riveting is particularly advantageous for powdered fillers.

[0045] The device according to the invention offers the following advantages in particular. Since the sealing device can move toward the container, the container does not need to enter the sealing machine in a defined division. The container is secured during sealing / winding and therefore does not rotate during sealing, which is highly advantageous, for example, when powder is used as a filler. No time-consuming specification changes are required because the sealing roller can be movable (e.g., with an eccentric connection), thus adaptable to different specifications. No scaling is required in the sealing machine because multiple sealing devices can be easily accommodated. The cap can be easily oriented on the container using the sealing head (because the rotation of the container and cap is not linked via a transmission mechanism). No spring assembly is needed under the container because there is no need to lift the container. Furthermore, wear of the sealing head is not a problem because the sealing roller can continuously reference the sealing head, thus providing a constant sealing width.

[0046] In principle, this invention describes the current roll-sealing process in an electromechanical manner. It preferably uses the same roll-sealing profile and preferably produces the same "double roll-sealing section." Compared to current processes, the container is upright, and in particular, the can and the roll-sealing roller rotate around the container.

[0047] In this invention, it is an autonomous sealing device that can be flexibly integrated into the overall system. When higher power requirements arise, multiple sealing devices can be easily integrated into the system.

[0048] Since the container is only touched from above when closed, it can, for example, enter a conveyor belt. The movement of the sealing device in all spatial directions, as well as the movement of the sealing rollers, especially the rotation of the sealing rollers and sealing roller assemblies, can be freely parameterized using a servo drive.

[0049] During operation, force can be absorbed through the current consumption of sensing devices or servo drives, and quality checks can also be performed. Sealing does not require path control; instead, force can be controlled using force sensors on the sealing roller. Therefore, automatic adjustment can be achieved through force measurement during sealing. Power can be transmitted to the rotor (of the sealing roller) via induction. Furthermore, signals can be transmitted to the rotor wirelessly.

[0050] The cap can be pneumatically drawn in and ejected using a suction device. Since the roll-sealing device can be height-adjusted along the roll-sealing head axis, fully automatic specification changes can be achieved in terms of container height, thus ensuring the feed of the roll-sealing head relative to the container. In particular, the axial feed of the roll-sealing head (i.e., height adjustment with respect to the roll-sealing head axis) can also be force-controlled.

[0051] Particularly preferably, the feeding of the sealing roller and / or sealing head relative to the container can also be achieved through a combination of force control and path control, wherein the sealing roller and / or sealing head is fed to the container until a preset force is reached, and then can move further to the container via a definable distance (path).

[0052] The container can be inflated via a roll-up end cap, and in particular, it can be filled using the roll-up end cap and the corresponding supply line at the roll-up end cap. For this purpose, the container is first inflated via the roll-up end cap, and then the cap is applied to the container. Attached Figure Description

[0053] The present invention and the prior art will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the sealing device according to the present invention is shown;

[0055] Figure 2 Another illustration shows the sealing device according to the invention;

[0056] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a view of the lower side of the sealing device according to the invention;

[0057] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 3 The diagram shows a segment;

[0058] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the sealing device according to the present invention is shown;

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the prior art is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the sealing device 1 according to the present invention is shown.

[0061] The sealing device 1 includes a sealing head 10 for fastening the cap to the container (the sealing head is arranged at the sealing device 1 by means of a hollow shaft 50), a first sealing roller 11 having a first sealing profile 110, and a second sealing roller 12 having a second sealing profile 120.

[0062] Here, the roll cap 10 is fixedly arranged between the first roll cap 11 and the second roll cap 12. The container, along with its lid, can be centrally secured between the first roll cap 11 and the second roll cap 12 during operation by positioning the container with its opening at the roll cap 10. Preferably, the lid is already positioned at the roll cap 10. For this purpose, the roll cap 10 includes a suction device, which can receive the roll cap 10, for example, by generating a negative pressure.

[0063] The sealing device 1 includes a rotary driver 20 drivenly connected to a first sealing roller 11 and a second sealing roller 12, wherein the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 can rotate around a sealing head 10 by means of the rotary driver 20, so that the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 can, in the operating state, follow the periphery (not shown here, but corresponding to) a container immovably secured by the sealing head 10 with a first sealing profile 110 and a second sealing profile 120. Figure 2 The periphery of the roll-sealing head shown in the figure moves, wherein the container flange of the container rolls with the cover flange of the cover.

[0064] To seal the container, the cap is first applied to the container opening via the roll-on end cap 10, and then the container and cap are centeredly secured between the first roll-on end cap 11 and the second roll-on end cap 12 using the roll-on end cap 10. Next, the first roll-on end cap 11 and the second roll-on end cap 12 are rotated around the roll-on end cap 10, causing them to move along the periphery of the container via the first roll-on end cap 110 and the second roll-on end cap 120, wherein the container flange of the container is rolled up with the cap flange of the cap.

[0065] In the current embodiment, the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 are rotatable about the sealing head axis X of the sealing head, and in operation, the container is arranged with its container axis in the sealing head axis X.

[0066] The rotary driver 20 is designed as a sealing roller driver 20 drivenly connected to the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12. In operation, the first sealing roller 11 can rotate along the first sealing profile 110 by means of the sealing roller driver 20, and the second sealing roller 12 can rotate along the second sealing profile 120 by means of the sealing roller driver 20. Thus, the first sealing roller 11 can move along the periphery of a container that can be immovably secured by the sealing head 10, and the second sealing roller 12 can move along the first sealing profile 110 and the second sealing profile 120, respectively. The sealing roller driver 20 can be particularly designed as a servo driver 20. The first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 thus rotate along their respective sealing profiles, wherein the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 preferably rotate synchronously and at a fixed angular interval from each other.

[0067] Two sealing rollers 11 and 12 are driven to a corresponding sealing roller driver 20 via corresponding shaft connection 25. Each sealing roller 11 and 12 is thus connected to a separate sealing roller driver 20. Here, the corresponding shaft connection 25 includes an eccentric connection 30, so that the corresponding sealing rollers 11 and 12 are arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis Y of the sealing roller driver 20.

[0068] By adjusting the eccentric connecting part 30 (and the motion device), the gap between the sealing rollers 11 and 12 can be adjusted, thereby achieving adaptation to different sealing qualities, that is, adaptation to containers of different sizes.

[0069] Figure 2 Another illustration shows the sealing device 1 according to the present invention.

[0070] The sealing device 1 includes two sealing rollers 11 and 13 arranged opposite each other, with a third sealing roller 13 positioned on the side of the sealing head 10 opposite to the first sealing roller 11. The first sealing roller 11 and the third sealing roller 13 preferably have the same sealing profile. In operation, the first sealing roller 11 and the third sealing roller 13 move towards the center (sealing head 10) with the same feed motion. Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the sealing rollers 11 and 13, the forces acting on the sealing head 10 cancel each other out.

[0071] In addition, the roll seal 10 includes a gas supply section 16 for supplying gas, particularly inert gas, to the container. The gas supply section 16 is designed as an opening 16 through which gas can flow out.

[0072] Furthermore, the gas supply unit 16 can be used as a suction device 16 for suctioning the lid, thereby suctioning the lid and placing it onto the opening of the container by generating negative pressure through the suction device 16. The lid is thus pneumatically suctioned and ejected.

[0073] Inflation can be achieved in a vacuum gas chamber using the gas supply unit 16. The process involves first riveting the cover, then drawing a vacuum via the gas supply unit 16, followed by inflation via the gas supply unit 16, and finally sealing the container.

[0074] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a view of the lower side of the sealing device 1 according to the present invention.

[0075] The first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 are arranged at the sealing roller assembly 15, wherein the rotary drive may include a sealing drive drive drivenly connected to the sealing roller assembly 15, through which the sealing roller assembly 15 can rotate at a first angular velocity, so that the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12 can move in the operating state along the periphery of the container, which is immovably secured by means of the sealing head, with the first sealing profile 110 and the second sealing profile 120. However, preferably, according to Figure 1 Each sealing roller has its own sealing roller driver 20.

[0076] The sealing device 1 also includes a third sealing roller 13 having a third sealing profile 130 and a fourth sealing roller 14 having a fourth sealing profile 140 for sealing the container flange and the cap flange of the lid. Here, the sealing head 10 is arranged so centrally between the third sealing roller 13 and the fourth sealing roller 14 (and also between the first sealing roller 11 and the second sealing roller 12) that the container together with the cap can be centrally secured between the sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 in operation.

[0077] The third sealing roller 13 and the fourth sealing roller 14 are also driven by a rotary driver. The third sealing roller 13 and the fourth sealing roller 14 can rotate around the sealing head 10 by means of the rotary driver, so that the third sealing roller 13 and the fourth sealing roller 14 can move along the periphery of the container that is immovably fastened by means of the sealing head 10 in the running state with the third sealing profile 130 and the fourth sealing profile 140, wherein the container flange of the container can be sealed with the cover flange of the cover.

[0078] Here, sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 are preferably rotated along their respective sealing profiles along arrow C by means of their respective sealing roller drivers. When sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 are in force-fit contact with the container in the operating state, the sealing rollers also rotate around the container due to rotation along arrow C. Here, the sealing roller assembly 15 is therefore also positioned to rotate and, along arrow R, with sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 rotating around the sealing head 10.

[0079] Sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 rotate synchronously and at fixed angular intervals. The sealing roller assembly 10 is annular and arranged around the circular sealing head 10.

[0080] according to Figure 3 To seal the container, sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14, in operation, contact the cap flange and container flange with their sealing profiles 110, 120, 130, and 140. By rotating the sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 around the sealing head 10 and thus around the container, the sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 rotate around the container in the circumferential direction, wherein the cap flange and container flange are sealed together, as the sealing rollers apply pressure to the cap flange and container flange. Crucially, the container is secured when closed, i.e., it does not move and, in particular, does not rotate, as in devices known from the prior art.

[0081] The four sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 are arranged in a quadrilateral shape, particularly a square shape. Here, the first sealing roller 11 is arranged together with the sealing head 10 and the third sealing roller 13 on a first straight line G1, and the second sealing roller 12 is arranged together with the sealing head 10 and the fourth sealing roller 14 on a second straight line G2. The first straight line G1 and the second straight line G2 extend orthogonally to each other.

[0082] The sealing device 1 includes a motion device connected to the first and third sealing rollers 11, 13 and to the second and fourth sealing rollers 12, 14. Through this motion device, the first and / or third sealing rollers can move along a first straight line G1 (arrows B1 and B3), and the third and fourth sealing rollers can move along a second straight line G2 (arrows B2 and B4). This enables adaptation to different sealing qualities, i.e., to containers of different sizes, and enables the feeding of the sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, 14 to the sealing head 10 and thus to the container.

[0083] The feeding and movement of the sealing roller are preferably achieved via an eccentric connecting part forming the motion device and a sealing roller driver. According to Figure 3 The arrangement of these rolls is a preferred embodiment of the invention because it achieves symmetrical force application to the container. Furthermore, the container can be advantageously closed using a double-sealing mechanism, where the first and third sealing rollers produce a pre-sealing, while the second and fourth sealing rollers produce a final seal. Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14, the forces acting on the sealing head 10 cancel each other out. Moreover, significantly less time is required to close the container because the large number of oppositely arranged sealing rollers 11, 12, 13, and 14 necessitates less rotational movement to close the container.

[0084] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 3 A segment of the schematic diagram.

[0085] according to Figure 4 The first sealing roller (and all other sealing rollers) can move relative to the center of rotation of the feed Y, and thus move toward or away from the sealing roller 10 along arrow B1.

[0086] To control the movement of the sealing roller, the sealing roller or sealing device may include sensors. These sensors can receive forces during operation or receive the current consumption of the motor (sealing roller driver). This allows for quality checks on the one hand, and path control of the sealing process on the other, and particularly preferably, force control of the sealing process. For force control, a preset force can be adjusted by the sealing roller driver, and the corresponding sealing roller should apply said force to the container. Therefore, the sealing roller driver is preferably designed as a servo driver.

[0087] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another embodiment of the sealing device 1 according to the invention is shown in the sealing machine 1000 according to the invention.

[0088] The sealing device 1 includes a first sealing roller 11 and a second sealing roller 12. The sealing machine 1000 includes a container supply section 40, which is preferably designed as a conveyor belt. The container 100 is guided below the sealing head 10 by means of the container supply section 40. By moving the sealing head 10 along the axis X, the sealing head can be fed toward the container 100, thereby securing the sealing head immovably, i.e., securing it so that the sealing head is not rotated by the sealing rollers 11 and 12 during sealing.

[0089] To close the container using the lid 101, the lid 101 is applied to the opening of the container 100 via the sealing head 10. Then, sealing rollers 11 and 12 are fed into the container 100 as previously described and rotate about its axis along arrows C1 and C2. Here, sealing rollers 11 and 12 rotate around the sealing head 10 and around the container 100 via rotations C1 and C2 and by contact with the container 100 through force engagement with the container 100.

[0090] Particularly preferably, the container 100 is a can 100, and the lid 101 is a can lid 101.

[0091] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the prior art, as previously described, is shown. As mentioned above, Figure 6 The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are enclosed in single quotes because they relate to known prior art.

Claims

1. A roll-sealing device for closing a container (100) using a corresponding cap (101), the roll-sealing device comprising: A roll cap (10) for fastening the cover (101) to the container (100); A first sealing roller (11) having a first sealing profile (110) and a second sealing roller (12) having a second sealing profile (120); The sealing head (10) is arranged between the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) such that the container (100) together with the cover (101) can be centrally and securely fastened between the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) in operation. And a rotary drive, comprising a first sealing roller drive and a second sealing roller drive, the first sealing roller drive being driven connected to the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller drive being driven connected to the second sealing roller (12), wherein the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) are rotatable around the sealing head (10) by means of the first sealing roller drive and the second sealing roller drive, such that the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) are rotatable in operation along the periphery of the container (100) which is immovably secured by means of the sealing head (100), wherein the container flange (102) of the container (100) is rotatable with the cover flange (103) of the cover (101).

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein, The first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) are rotatable around the sealing head axis (X) of the sealing head (10). In operation, the container (100) is arranged in the sealing head axis with its container axis (X).

3. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) are arranged at the sealing roller assembly (15) and the rotary drive includes a sealing driver that is drivenly connected to the sealing roller assembly (15). The sealing roller assembly (15) is rotatable at a first angular velocity by the sealing driver, so that the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) are rotatable in operation along the periphery of the container (100) which is immovably secured by the sealing head (10).

4. The sealing device according to claim 3, wherein, The roll-to-roll driver is designed as a first servo driver.

5. The sealing device according to claim 3, wherein, The sealing roller assembly (15) is arranged around the sealing head (10) and the rotation axis of the sealing roller assembly corresponds to the sealing head axis (X) of the sealing head (10).

6. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first sealing roller (11) is capable of rotating synchronously along the first sealing profile (110) and the second sealing roller (12) is capable of rotating synchronously along the second sealing profile (120) and at fixed angular intervals with each other.

7. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, the sealing device comprising a third sealing roller (13) having a third sealing profile (130) and a fourth sealing roller (14) having a fourth sealing profile (140) for sealing the container flange (102) of the container (100) with the cover flange (103) of the cover (101), wherein, The roll cap (10) is centrally positioned between the third roll cap (13) and the fourth roll cap (14) such that the container (100) together with the cover (101) can be centrally secured between the third roll cap (13) and the fourth roll cap (14) in operation, and the third roll cap (13) and the fourth roll cap (14) are drivenly connected to the rotary drive, wherein the third roll cap (13) and the fourth roll cap (14) are... 4) The third sealing roller (13) and the fourth sealing roller (14) can rotate around the sealing head (10) by means of the rotary drive, so that the third sealing profile (130) and the fourth sealing profile (140) can move along the periphery of the container (100) which is immovably fastened by means of the sealing head (10) in the operating state, wherein the container flange (102) of the container (100) can be sealed with the cover flange (103) of the cover (101).

8. The sealing device according to claim 7, wherein, The first sealing roll (11) and the third sealing roll (13) are designed as pre-sealing rolls for constructing a pre-sealing, and the second sealing roll (12) and the fourth sealing roll (14) are designed as final sealing rolls for constructing a final sealing.

9. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each sealing roller is driven to a corresponding sealing roller driver via a corresponding shaft connection (25).

10. The sealing device according to claim 9, wherein, At least one corresponding shaft connection (25) includes an eccentric connection (30), such that the corresponding sealing roller is arranged eccentrically relative to the rotation axis (Y) of the sealing roller driver.

11. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The roll end cap (10) includes a gas supply section (16) for supplying gas to the container (100).

12. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The roll cap (10) includes a suction device for suctioning the cover (101).

13. The sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing device includes a detector system for locating the container position of the container (100).

14. A method for sealing a container (100) using a corresponding cap (101), the method comprising: a) Provide a sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; b) Introduce the container (100) and the cap (101) into the roll-sealing device (1); c) Apply the cover (101) to the opening of the container (100); d) The container (100) and the cover (101) are centrally and immovably secured between the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) by means of the sealing head (10); e) Rotate the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) around the sealing head (10), so that the first sealing roller (11) and the second sealing roller (12) move along the periphery of the container (100) with the first sealing profile (110) and the second sealing profile (120), wherein the container flange (102) of the container (100) is sealed with the cover flange (103) of the cover (101).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, Before the container (100) and the cover (101) are introduced into the sealing device (1), concentricity correction of the sealing roller is performed by moving the sealing roller close to the sealing head (10) and rotating it around the sealing head (10), wherein a concentricity sensor determines unevenness in the sealing head (10) and / or the sealing roller as it rotates around the sealing head (10), and the unevenness is corrected by adapting the feed of the sealing roller relative to the sealing head (10) when the container is closed.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein, Before applying the cover (101) to the opening of the container (100), the cover (101) is oriented in a preset direction.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein, The feeding of the sealing roller and / or the sealing head (10) relative to the container (100) is achieved by feeding the sealing roller and / or the sealing head (10) toward the container until a preset force is reached, and then moving further toward the container (100) on a preset path.

18. A sealing machine comprising a sealing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

19. The sealing machine according to claim 18, wherein the sealing machine includes a container supply unit (40).

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