Apparatus and method for producing cutting geometries in container closures

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a cutting geometry extending in a circumferential direction in the housing of a container closure, in particular a method for producing a locking ring, the method comprising the following steps: providing the closure and transporting the closure along a transport path by a transport device. The closure is fed to a processing section of the transport path, in which a fixed cutting knife is provided, the fixed cutting knife being provided with a cutting blade extending along the cutting section, and the cutting step for generating the cutting geometry in the processing section is performed by rolling the housing on the cutting blade of the fixed cutting knife. The feeding of the closure to the processing section is carried out in a predetermined rotational position orientation relative to the central axis of the closure, and a drive member of the transport device rotating around the rotation axis engages with a stop member of the closure and controls the movement of the rotating drive member so that the rotational position of the drive member corresponds to the predetermined orientation of the closure when the closure enters the processing section. The invention also relates to a device for performing the method.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for producing a cutting geometry extending in the circumferential direction in the outer shell of a container closure, in particular for producing a locking ring, and also to a device for carrying out such a method. Background Art

[0002] In order to ensure that the container, such as a beverage bottle, is still in its original state when the user purchases it and has not been opened before, either intentionally or accidentally, the closure of such containers is in most cases equipped with a locking ring. The locking ring is connected to the main part of the closure, which performs the sealing function via a predetermined breaking point, so that when the container is opened, the predetermined breaking point is inevitably damaged, so that the initial opening of the container can be reliably identified from the outside. In order to ensure this fixing function, the locking ring should remain on the container when the cover part is pulled out or unscrewed, at least until the predetermined breaking point breaks. For this purpose, the container is usually provided with an undercut on the neck where the closure is located in the extraction direction, for example in the form of a curling, and the locking ring engages behind the curling from below, that is, opposite to the opening direction. Therefore, when the closure is removed, the locking ring prevents the extraction of the container curling, thereby tearing the predetermined breaking point. For this purpose, a surrounding and occasionally interrupted curling folded inwards is usually provided on the locking ring, through which the locking ring engages on the curling of the container from the rear. As is known, a thickened portion is provided on the inner side of the locking ring instead of a crimped edge.

[0003] To prevent the body part from detaching when removed from the container, the predeterminable breaking point can be configured in such a way that the connection between the body part and the locking ring continues to be maintained when removed ("tethered cap"). This is beneficial for ecological sustainability and, in particular, for example, for reducing plastic waste that is disposed of in an uncontrolled manner.

[0004] This type of locking ring is usually produced by cutting a cutting geometry into the closure. The cutting geometry corresponds to one or more predeterminable breaking points. For this purpose, the closure can be guided through a cutting blade and rolled on the cutting blade to produce a predeterminable breaking point, for example in the form of a partially interrupted groove in the closure housing. In many applications, the direction in which the closure is fed to the cutting blade is irrelevant, depending on the rotational position of the closure relative to its central axis.

[0005] However, for closures that are not completely rotationally symmetrical, it is often necessary or desirable to generate the cuts, respectively, depending on the predeterminable orientation of the closure. This may be the case, for example, when the printed image to be applied is aligned with a non-rotationally symmetrical element of the closure. Elements of this type may include, for example, a non-rotationally symmetrical locking ring (which ensures the seal) that is produced during the cutting step, or a fixing band of the closure. If the lid of the closure can be flipped open on a hinge, it is also important that the hinge is not damaged during the cutting process (“flip top” component) by means of a connecting plate. In some cases, the cutting geometry of the groove here may even require a hinge gap. In addition, there may also be asymmetrically configured material thickenings where the locking ring does not separate from the lid, so that the cutting geometry must be aligned accordingly.

[0006] It is known from EP 3 103 603 B1 (Bortolin Kemo SPA) to detect the orientation of the rotational position of the closure clamped in the chuck by optical methods before the cut is made and to adjust the desired orientation of the rotational position by a controlled drive of the chuck. However, this type of method is complex in terms of control technology and cost-intensive. In addition, the measurement and calibration of the closure is very time-consuming, which limits the speed of the method and thus the potential throughput. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for producing a cutting geometry extending in the circumferential direction in the outer shell of a container closure, in particular for producing a locking ring, which method and device are related to the technical field mentioned at the beginning and overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. A specific object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for producing a cutting geometry extending in the circumferential direction in the outer shell of a container closure, which is reliable and economical in terms of investment and operation.

[0008] The object is achieved by a method according to one feature of the invention and by a device according to one feature of the invention.

[0009] According to the invention, a method for producing a cutting geometry extending in the circumferential direction in the housing of a container closure, in particular a method for producing a locking ring, comprises the following steps:

[0010] a) provide a cover;

[0011] b) transporting the closure along a transport path by a transport device; wherein

[0012] c) the caps are fed to a processing section of the transport path, in which a fixed cutting knife is provided, the fixed cutting knife being provided with a cutting blade extending along a cutting section; and

[0013] d) performing a cutting step for generating said cutting geometry in a processing section by rolling said housing on a cutting blade of a fixed cutting knife;

[0014] The caps can be provided in a variety of known ways. For example, the caps can be provided from a reservoir of a singularization device (e.g., a disc screen or a rotating table). The transport device receives the caps provided in a singular manner and transports the caps along a transport path. A variety of possibilities are known to those skilled in the art regarding how the transport device can obtain the caps. For example, it is conceivable that the caps are mounted in a container that moves along the transport path, or in a chuck that moves along the transport path and surrounds the caps from the outside. In other embodiments, the transport device may include a support spindle that engages inside the caps so as to transport the caps along the transport path.

[0015] In the process according to the method of the present invention, the transport path through which the cap passes defines at least a part of the process path. At present, the transport path at least includes a processing section for processing the cap, i.e., modifying the state of the cap therein. In principle, the processing section may include a plurality of processing stations, for example, a cutting knife for generating cutting geometries in the cap shell, a printing station for printing the cap and / or a folding device for folding the cap shell part to generate a locking ring. According to the present invention, the processing section includes at least one cutting section, along which a cutting blade or a plurality of cutting blades of a cutting knife extend. The cutting section forms at least a part of the processing section, but in particular may correspond to the entire processing section. Each cutting blade extends into the transport path of the cap, so that when the shell of the cap is transported along the cutting section by a transport device, one or more cutting edges of the cutting blade produce one or more incisions in the cap shell respectively. In the cutting section, the cap is preferably provided to the cutting blade by a transport device.

[0016] In order to feed the caps to the processing section, the transport path may include a feed section, which is located in the process direction before the processing section, preferably directly adjacent to the processing section. The feed section is usually only used to feed the caps to the processing section, i.e. the caps are not processed in this part of the transport path. When transported along the feed section, the caps can be moved to a position required for subsequent processing, such as a predeterminable orientation of the rotational position relative to the central axis. However, the feed section is not mandatory and the caps can be obtained, for example, in a singulation device and fed directly to the processing section. In this case, for example, the predeterminable orientation of the rotational position of the caps relative to their central axis when feeding can be determined during the process of receiving the caps.

[0017] The transport plane is defined by the transport path of the latter contour in the cutting section area. Here the cutting blade of the cutting knife extends so as to be substantially parallel to the transport plane. The entire processing section and the optional feed section can be located in the transport plane.

[0018] According to the invention, the closure is fed into the processing section in a predeterminable rotational position orientation relative to the central axis of the closure. The central axis corresponds to the rotational symmetry axis of the closure, wherein the closure does not have to be configured in a strictly rotationally symmetrical manner, the central axis defining the main symmetry axis of the basic shape of the closure. In this context, the closure can therefore also have elements that are not configured in a rotationally symmetrical manner, such as non-rotationally symmetrical cutting geometries, internal threads and / or lids that are fixed on one side by hinges.

[0019] According to the invention, it is thus possible to achieve that the processing of the closure in a processing section starts from a predeterminable rotational position. This is particularly advantageous in the case of closures that are not completely rotationally symmetrical, for example, where the printed images of the elements to be applied to the closure have to be aligned. Elements of this type include, for example, a rotationally asymmetrical locking ring (ensuring the seal) produced in the cutting step, or a fixing band for the closure. If the lid of the closure can be flipped open by means of a hinge ("flip top" component), the lid is fixed to the body by means of a connecting plate before the initial opening, and it is also important not to damage the hinge during the cutting process. If necessary, a hinge gap is required in the cutting geometry of the groove, so that the closure has to be fed in a directional manner. In addition, there may also be asymmetrically configured material thickenings, in which the locking ring is not separated from the lid ("tethered lid") and the cutting geometry has to be aligned accordingly.

[0020] According to the invention, during the feeding process, the driving member of the transport device rotating about the rotation axis engages with the stopper of the closure, thereby achieving the feeding of the closure to the processing section with a predetermined orientation of the central axis of the closure. The movement of the rotary driving member is controlled so that when the closure enters the processing section, the rotation position of the driving member corresponds to the predetermined orientation of the closure.

[0021] The rotary drive preferably engages with the stopper of the closure by a rotational movement about the rotation axis of the rotary drive. The engagement allows the rotational movement of the rotary drive to cause a corresponding rotation of the closure about the central axis of the latter. The rotational position of the closure relative to the orientation of the rotary drive, i.e. the relative rotational position between the drive and the closure, is determined by the engagement between the stopper and the drive.

[0022] The engagement is preferably achieved by a form fit of a driver and a stop. To this end, the driver and the stop are configured to complement each other and to align with each other so that the driver and the stop can be brought into engagement. "Engagement" here may describe that the driver on one side is only subjected to the stop, but may also refer to an interaction of more complex shapes, for example, an undercut of a stop that is engaged from the rear by a correspondingly configured driver. Thus, the stop and driver can be configured as simple cams, for example, which can collide with each other when engaged. However, more complex stop and driver shapes can also be envisaged to achieve the desired interaction. Of course, depending on the requirements, there may be multiple drivers and / or multiple stops on the cover.

[0023] According to the present invention, the rotary drive member of the conveying device during feeding engages with the stop member of the cap, and the rotary drive member according to the present invention is controlled so that when the cap enters the processing section, the rotational position of the drive member corresponds to a predetermined orientation of the cap, and the cap that performs rotational movement in an engaged manner is coupled to the drive member and has an orientation in this position that can be predetermined according to the rotational position of the cap.

[0024] The method according to the invention allows in particular that closures provided in any rotational position can be reliably fed to the processing section in a predeterminable orientation. In particular, there is no need here for the complex and therefore time-consuming adjustment of the rotational position of the closure by optical inspection and corresponding adjustment as is known from the prior art.

[0025] The central axis of the closure, at least in the processing section, or optionally also in the feed section, is preferably perpendicular to the transport plane. Likewise, the rotation axis of the rotary drive is also advantageously arranged perpendicular to the transport plane.

[0026] In order to ensure that the closure during feeding is entrained by the rotary drive via the stop, the movement of the rotary drive is preferably controlled so that the rotary drive and the stop of the closure are positively engaged with one full relative rotation between the closure and the drive during feeding. In this case, the rotation of the drive at any initial orientation of the rotational position of the closure "overrides" any potential spontaneous rotation or previously introduced rotation, so that the drive and the stop can be engaged in any case. Alternatively, the closure may already have a specific orientation or a specific range of orientations, respectively, so that starting from the initial rotational position of the drive, no full relative rotation is required to reliably engage the stop and the drive.

[0027] During the further rotation of the rotary drive element, the meshing is preferably maintained at least until entry into the processing section.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the rotational movement of the rotary drive about its rotation axis is controlled so that the rotational speed of the rotary drive during the feed corresponds to the rotational speed in the region of the processing section. In other words, the rotary drive rotates at a constant speed while passing through the transport path. This has the advantage that the rotational movement of the rotary drive can be controlled in a particularly simple manner. The speed is preferably selected here so that the drive and the stop can mesh during the feed, i.e. the speed of the drive is higher than the speed of the closure about its central axis.

[0029] The rotation speed of the caps in the processing section can be increased in such a way that the caps rotate faster than the drive element. The meshing can therefore be released due to the lower rotation speed of the drive element. The rotation speed of the caps can here be controlled by passive control means (e.g. a contact surface on which the caps roll) or by active control means (e.g. a controlled rotation in which the caps are held during transport). In principle, the cutting resistance during the rolling of the cutting section is sufficient to ensure a corresponding rotation of the caps.

[0030] In other words, the rotary drive member can rotate at a constant speed, and the engagement or disengagement can be achieved respectively by controlling the rotation of the cover.

[0031] On the contrary, it is also possible to achieve engagement or disengagement respectively by controlling the rotation speed of the rotary drive member. In another embodiment, the rotary motion of the rotary drive member around its rotation axis is controlled so that the first rotation speed during the feed is higher than the second rotation speed in the processing section area, especially in the rolling process of the cutting step. Therefore, on the one hand, the engagement of the drive member and the stopper can be reliably achieved during the feed process, and on the other hand, the engagement in the processing section where the cap rotates can be disengaged due to a lower rotation speed by other means, so that the rotary drive member will not interfere with or collide with the stopper respectively. In particular, by controlling the rotation speed, the transition to the processing section can be better controlled. For example, by specifically and optionally continuously controlling the rotation speed of the drive member in the feed section, the speed jump when entering the processing section can be avoided.

[0032] It is understood that the rotation speed of the closures can also be controlled during feeding, since passive control means (e.g. contact surfaces) can be present in the feeding section of the transport path, for example the closures interact with said contact surfaces, for example rolling or sliding on the latter, in order to produce a rotation about the central axis of said closures. The rotation can also be achieved by active control means, for example by controlled rotation of a chuck that holds the closures during transport.

[0033] In the processing section, the rotation of the closure around its central axis is controlled so that the closure performs a predetermined rotation around its central axis, which is particularly independent of the rotational movement of the rotary drive to a large extent. This preferably occurs when the housing of the closure rolls on the contact surface. The contact surface can be partially configured, but preferably extends to the entire processing section to ensure that the rotational position of the closure at each position is clearly determined. Therefore, the contact surface advantageously interacts with the outer side of the shell in a way that prevents sliding. This can be achieved by a shape fit and / or a friction fit between the shell and the contact surface. To this end, the contact surface can have a surface structure suitable for this purpose, which surface structure can increase the friction relative to the shell, or, for example, a complementary surface structure on the outer side of the shell can engage therein.

[0034] The rotational movement of the rotary drive and / or the closure when entering the processing section is preferably controlled so that the angular velocity of the rotary drive about its rotation axis differs from the angular velocity of the closure about the central axis of the latter by at least 20%. Preferably, the angular velocity of the drive is lower than the angular velocity of the closure. Due to the lower angular velocity of the drive, the engagement between the rotary drive and the closure stop can be released.

[0035] Due to the upper limit, a stop is provided which prevents a fast rotation of the cover, especially during the cutting process, from being able to catch up with or overtake the slower rotating driver, i.e. the latter is overtaken, respectively. The cutting step does not usually require more than 1 to 2 complete rotations of the cover, so that a collision with the driver can be prevented in a sufficiently reliable manner by the defined upper limit (maximum 20%).

[0036] In order to ensure the engagement of the driver and the stopper during feeding, or to reduce or eliminate any potential spontaneous or previously introduced rotation of the cap, in a preferred embodiment, the rotational movement of the cap around its central axis during feeding is hindered. In particular, an obstacle is provided before the engagement between the driver and the stopper. The obstruction here can be selectively performed along the entire transport path, in particular in the feed section, and can be achieved by, for example, friction resistance acting on the cap. Due to the presence of the obstacle, any potential rotational movement of the cap will not exceed the rotational movement of the driver. This ensures the engagement between the driver and the stopper during feeding. Alternatively, the rotational speed of the driver can be selected so that, in any possible case, the rotational speed is higher than the potential spontaneous rotation or previously introduced rotation of the cap, so that the latter's rotation does not have to be hindered.

[0037] Depending on the requirements, the potential rotational movement can be completely decelerated by frictional resistance. Without the closure rotating about its central axis, the drive element needs to be rotated completely at most in order to reliably engage the latter with the stopper of the closure during feeding. The frictional resistance can be applied selectively, for example by surface features of the transport support surface for the closure and can be enhanced in a targeted manner if required, for example by applying a vacuum to the perforated sliding surface of the transport support surface. The barrier setting can also be performed by a separate braking device, for example in the sense of a brake shoe, which interacts with the closure.

[0038] When the transport device acquires the closure, the rotary drive and the closure preferably move relative to each other in the direction of the central axis. For this purpose, for example, a support spindle on which the drive can be placed can engage in the axial direction inside the closure to acquire the closure for transporting the closure. In another embodiment, the closure can be introduced axially into a container of a cartridge that can be moved along the transport path.

[0039] In order to ensure that the rotary drive and the stopper of the closure do not hinder the closure from being received during the axial relative movement of the rotary drive and the closure in the direction of their central axis, the drive and the stopper preferably have a profile that diverges in a direction parallel to the central axis. When the transport device receives the closure, the special design of the elements enables the stopper with a divergent profile to slide on the drive when the stopper and the drive are superimposed on each other in the direction of the central axis, and vice versa.

[0040] The rotary drive member when receiving the closure is preferably at least partially introduced into the inside of the closure. Like this, the stopper of the closure can be configured on the inside of the closure, which is particularly advantageous because the outer shape of the closure that the user behind faces will not be disturbed by the stopper.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the drive is arranged on a support spindle of the transport device, the support spindle being provided with at least one support area, in particular a substantially cylindrical support area, for supporting the housing of the closure, the support area being rotatable about a rotation axis, the rotation axis being oriented in particular perpendicularly to the cutting section, wherein the housing is supported from the inside during rolling on the support area. The support area in the cutting section is preferably located opposite the cutting blade and provides a housing for the cutting blade.

[0042] The support region here can be mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the rest of the support spindle, or fixedly connected to the support spindle, wherein in the latter case the entire support spindle is mounted so as to be rotatable. The support region or the support spindle can preferably be arranged in a controlled rotational movement by means of a drive. The rotary drive can be fixedly arranged on the support region or on the rotating support spindle so that the drive can rotate together with the support region or together with the entire support spindle. In an embodiment that is preferred according to requirements, the rotary drive is arranged on the support spindle so as to rotate independently of the support spindle or the support region, respectively, and is, for example, rotatably mounted on the support spindle. The rotation axis of the drive is preferably arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the support spindle.

[0043] The drive is preferably arranged on the axial end side of the support spindle, and the stop is preferably arranged on the inner side of the capping base. Like this, on the one hand, the capping can be obtained in a simple way by the support spindle of the transport device. On the other hand, due to the axial arrangement of the drive on the end side of the support spindle and the configuration of the stop on the inner side of the base, reliable engagement can be ensured in a simple way, for example, the outer shape or the internal thread of the capping will not be disturbed by the stop. The shell can be provided to the cutting blade in a controlled and reliable manner, because the support spindle has a support area, which supports the shell from the inside, and the shell rolls on the cutting blade. The support area here preferably supports the shell in the instantaneous cutting area, wherein the cutting blade penetrates the shell, so that the cutting geometry can be reliably introduced into the shell.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the axis of rotation of the rotary drive is guided parallel to and eccentric to the central axis of the cap in the processing section, especially in the cutting section. This is particularly advantageous in embodiments where there is a support spindle on which the drive is placed. Due to the eccentric guidance, the support area of ​​the support spindle, which has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cap, can be supported on the housing of the cap from the inside. Therefore, when the housing rolls in the transient cutting area, the support area can guide the housing, especially from the inside, towards the cutting blade.

[0045] The eccentric guidance can be achieved in that the rotation axis of the drive element is guided in the transverse direction to the cutting blade along the movement path of the transport path and / or the guide means in the region of the cutting section, in particular the contact surface, is arranged in such a way that it is offset by its center axis so as to be parallel to the rotation axis of the drive element. In other words, an eccentric guidance can be achieved, i.e. the center axis of the closure is offset relative to the rotation axis of the drive element, or the rotation axis of the drive element is offset relative to the center axis of the closure.

[0046] In contrast, during feeding, the rotation axis of the rotary drive relative to the central axis of the cap is preferably guided parallel and substantially coaxially, in particular with less eccentricity than in the processing section. This is particularly advantageous in embodiments in which there is a support spindle on which the drive is placed. The engagement of the drive and the stop during feeding can be simplified by a substantially coaxial treatment. In particular, the support spindle can be introduced into the cap in a substantially coaxial manner, and the drive arranged on the support spindle can engage with the stop of the cap in a simple manner by a rotational movement. In the case of substantially coaxiality, once engagement occurs, the cap and the drive rotate at substantially the same, substantially constant angular velocity, which may simplify the process of directional feeding of the cap to the processing zone according to the present invention.

[0047] Alternatively, the drive member rotation axis and the closure center axis may be eccentrically arranged during the feeding process, in which case the closure rotates at a non-uniform angular velocity due to the eccentric relative arrangement, while the angular velocity of the drive member is constant.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the processing section comprises an approach section which is arranged before the cutting section in the process direction and in particular extends from the beginning of the processing section to the beginning of the cutting section, wherein the rotation of the closure about its central axis is explicitly controlled in the approach section. At least in the approach section, preferably in the entire processing section, the rotation of the closure is preferably controlled to a large extent independently of the rotation drive.

[0049] For this purpose, there can be a control device, for example a contact surface, by means of which the rotation of the closure about its central axis in the approach section can be controlled so that the direction of the rotational position of the closure when entering the cutting section is clearly determined from the direction of the closure when entering the processing section. The outer shell of the closure in the approach section preferably rolls positively on the contact surface here, so that the direction of the rotational position of the closure with respect to its central axis when entering the cutting section is clearly determined by the length of the approach section.

[0050] In a possibly equally preferred embodiment, according to an embodiment, there is no approach section, the processing section corresponds to the cutting section, and the inlet of the processing section therefore corresponds to the first point of contact between the closure housing and the cutting blade. In this case, the rotational movement of the closure is predetermined by rolling during the cutting step, but can be controlled by other control means, such as a contact surface.

[0051] The invention also comprises a device for producing cutting geometries extending in the circumferential direction, in particular for producing locking rings, in the housing of a container closure. The device is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. To this end, the device comprises a transport device for transporting the closures along a transport path, the transport path comprising a processing section, wherein a fixed cutting knife is arranged in the processing section and has a cutting blade extending along the cutting section, the cutting blade being used to generate the cutting geometries in the housing of the closure. The device is distinguished in that the transport device comprises a drive member rotating around a rotation axis, the drive member being able to engage with a stop member arranged on the closure and being controllable so that the rotational position of the rotating drive member corresponds to a predeterminable orientation of the closure around its central axis when the closure enters the processing section.

[0052] The rotary drive element and the stop element of the closure are preferably configured so that they can engage in every rotational position even in the case of an eccentric arrangement of the rotation axis and the central axis. To this end, the drive element and the stop element can have in each case such an extent in the radial direction of the rotation axis or the central axis that the volumes of the drive element and the stop element in one complete rotation about the respective axis overlap over the entire angular range of the rotation.

[0053] The device along the transport path, located before and adjacent to the processing section, advantageously has a feed section for transporting the closures during feeding. If required, the feed section can include a contact surface for rolling the outer side of the closure housing so that the latter can be controlled to rotate around the central axis of the closure. This rotation can be largely independent of the rotational movement of the rotary drive.

[0054] The device according to the invention preferably comprises a control device, which is designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive member along the transport path. In the case where the drive member is fixedly arranged on the rotary support spindle or the rotary support area of ​​the support spindle, respectively, the control device is particularly designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the support spindle. The control device is advantageously designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive member and the forward movement of the transport device, by which the caps are transported along the transport path. To this end, for example, the control device can provide a mechanical or electronic coupling between the forward movement and the rotational movement.

[0055] For example, a mechanical coupling can be achieved in that a rotatably mounted shaft of a rotary drive member is mechanically coupled to the forward movement of the transport device via a gearbox. The coupling here can be variable, so that different ratios between forward movement and rotary movement can be set according to sections and requirements during the passage through the transmission path. Here, the gearbox can include components that interact in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, such as gears, friction rollers, annular internal teeth or traction device drives, such as V-belts / synchronous belts or chains. The gearbox is usually designed so that there is a positive coupling between the rotary movement of the drive member and the forward movement of the transport device. The gearbox can also have a coupling device, by which the rotary movement and the forward movement can be decoupled when necessary, for example for maintenance.

[0056] The electronic coupling can be achieved by an electronic controller, for example, which controls the forward movement of the transport device and the rotational movement of the drive member by means of separate electric drives. For this purpose, there can be a first motor for driving the shaft that rotates the drive member or, alternatively, the shaft of the support spindle or chuck on which the drive member is arranged, respectively, and a second motor for advancing the movement of the transport device along the transport path. For example, a servo motor, a stepper motor or a linear motor or a combination thereof can be used as the electric motor, by which the desired movement can be achieved.

[0057] According to requirements, the device can also have one or more sensors, which are connected to the control device and by means of which the rotational position of the shaft supporting the spindle and / or the position of the transport device can be monitored or measured. The control device can evaluate the corresponding measured values ​​and thus continuously adjust the movement provided by the transport device. It will be appreciated that the control device can be configured for open-loop or closed-loop control.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the control device is designed and configured to control the rotary movement of the rotary drive element such that the rotational speed of the rotary drive element during the feed corresponds to the rotational speed in the region of the processing section.

[0059] In an alternative and equally preferred embodiment, the control device is designed and configured to control the rotary motion of the rotary drive element so that a first rotational speed of the rotary drive element during the feed is higher than a second rotational speed in the region of the processing section, as required. This has the advantage that it can be ensured that during the feed, the drive element can reliably engage with the stop element at the higher rotational speed, while it can be ensured that in the region of the processing section, the engagement can be released at the lower rotational speed.

[0060] The control device is preferably designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive and / or the closure in the processing section so that the angular velocity of the rotary drive around its rotation axis differs from the angular velocity of the closure around the latter's central axis by at least 10%. Here, the angular velocity of the rotary drive is particularly lower than the angular velocity of the closure. Due to the low angular velocity of the drive, the engagement between the rotary drive and the closure stop can be released. Due to the upper limit, especially in the cutting step, it is possible to prevent the faster rotating stop on the closure from being provided to the slower rotating drive, that is, to catch up with or exceed the latter respectively. The cutting step usually does not require the closure to rotate more than 1 to 2 complete turns, so that a collision with the driver can be prevented in a sufficiently reliable manner by the prescribed upper limit (up to 10%). In particular, in the case of a rotating support spindle, due to the different angular velocities, the circumferential speed on the circumference of the joint rotating support area is lower than the rolling speed of the shell. Therefore, the rolling speed of the shell differs from the circumferential speed of the support area by up to 10%. Therefore, in this case, slippage may occur between the support area and the inner side of the shell rolling on the support area.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the device in the processing section at least partially includes a contact surface, as a control device outside the cover shell, on which the cover can roll, especially without slipping. Due to rolling on the contact surface, the cover rotates around its central axis, and the rotation is preferably largely independent of the rotation of the drive member of the transport device. The rotation is preferably completely determined by the contact surface and the forward movement of the transport device. The contact surface advantageously has a surface structure that interacts with the outer side of the shell in a way that prevents sliding. For this purpose, the contact surface can have a surface structure suitable for this end, which surface structure can increase the friction relative to the shell, or for example a complementary surface structure of the shell can be engaged therein. It is particularly advantageous that the contact surface has teeth with notches, which are perpendicular to the processing section and interact with the notches of the cover running along the rotation axis in the manner of a gear or rack respectively through the knurling of the shell, especially the groove. The contact surface can only extend in the region or over the entire processing section.

[0062] The contact surface is preferably arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the drive member, and by rolling on the contact surface, the cover is offset parallel to the rotation axis of the drive member through its central axis, or alternatively, parallel to the rotation axis of the support spindle or the support area of ​​the support spindle (on which the drive member is located). In other words, the lateral spacing between the contact surface and the movement path of the rotation axis of the drive member is preferably smaller than the outer radius of the cover.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the processing section comprises an approach section, which is arranged before the cutting section in the process direction and extends from the beginning of the processing section to the beginning of the cutting section. Advantageously, by means of these means, the rotation of the closure in the approach section about its central axis can be actively controlled, and the orientation of the rotational position of the closure can be clearly determined starting from the direction when entering the processing section. For example, such a method can be provided by the above-mentioned contact surface in the processing section, on which the closure rolls without sliding. The lateral position of the closure, i.e. the position perpendicular to the central axis relative to the rotation axis of the rotary drive, can be adjusted in the approach section.

[0064] In the embodiment that may be equally preferred, as required, the cutting blade of the cutting knife extends to the whole processing section, and the cutting section corresponds to the processing section. In this case, the entrance entering the processing section corresponds to first contact point of capping shell and cutting blade.

[0065] The rotary drive is preferably arranged on a support spindle of the transport device, the support spindle having at least one (especially substantially cylindrical) support area for supporting the housing of the closure, the support area being rotatable around an axis of rotation, the direction of the axis of rotation being especially perpendicular to the cutting section. The support area of ​​the remaining part of the support spindle is here rotatably mounted or fixedly connected to the support spindle, in which case the entire support spindle is rotatably mounted. The rotary drive here can be fixedly arranged on the support area or fixedly arranged on the rotating support spindle, so that the drive can rotate with the support area or the entire support area. However, alternatively, the rotary drive can also be arranged on the support spindle so as to rotate independently of the support spindle or the support area, respectively, and for example rotatably mounted on the support spindle. The rotation axis of the drive is preferably arranged to be coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the support spindle.

[0066] The support area is arranged in such a way that the support area can support the shell of the cap, especially when rolling on the cutting blade from the inside, and the shell is provided to the cutting blade, wherein the support area is relative to the cutting blade in the cutting step. The support area here especially supports the shell in the instantaneous cutting area where the cutting blade penetrates the shell. The support area advantageously rolls on the inside of the shell. For this reason, the support area or the entire support spindle is preferably rotated in a driven manner respectively. However, in principle, it is not excluded that the support area can also be configured to be rotatable when not driven. In the latter case, the rotary drive can rotate independently of the support area.

[0067] The rotary drive is particularly advantageously arranged on the axial end side of the support spindle.Therefore, the rotary drive can be engaged with a stopper arranged on the inner side of the closure base in a particularly simple manner.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the transport device is configured as a turntable, wherein a plurality of rotary drives, in particular a plurality of supporting spindles, are arranged along the circumference of the turntable, each supporting spindle being provided with a drive member, wherein a processing section, in particular a cutting section, in particular an optional feed section, extends along the circumference of the turntable.

[0069] The rotary table itself or as a separate (e.g. fixed) component can include a support or guide for the caps, which supports or guides the caps along the transport path, respectively. The support surface is arranged at least in the area of ​​the processing section, in particular in the area of ​​the cutting section, preferably parallel to the transport plane.

[0070] The rotation axis of the rotary table is preferably arranged parallel to the rotation axis of the drive and the rotation axis of the optional support spindle, respectively, wherein the drive or the support spindle, respectively, passes the cutting knife when the rotary table rotates. The rotary table can have two support structures, which are arranged in a substantially parallel manner and spaced apart from each other and perpendicular to the rotation axis, for example, the axis of the drive or the axis of the support spindle, respectively, can be directly or indirectly mounted thereon in a rotatable manner. However, the rotary table can also be configured so that the axis of the drive and the axis of the optional support spindle are only unilaterally mounted on the rotary table.

[0071] However, it will be appreciated that a rotary table need not necessarily be present and that the transport path may also be linear, ie the transport device may be configured such that it transports the closures on a straight path.

[0072] Further advantageous embodiments and feature combinations of the invention emerge from the following detailed description and the entire patent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] In the schematic diagram used to explain the exemplary embodiment:

[0074] Figure 1 A device according to the invention is shown, which has a transport device for transporting the caps along the cutting section;

[0075] Figure 2 shows a side view of the support mandrel of the transport device before receiving the closure;

[0076] Figure 3 shows a side view of a support mandrel of a transport device just prior to receiving a closure;

[0077] Figure 4 shows a side view of the support mandrel of the transport device when receiving the closure;

[0078] Figure 5 A sectional view in a section parallel to the transport plane and passing through the drive and stop members is shown;

[0079] Figure 6Shows something like Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the drive member and the stop member, the cross-sectional view being located at a rear position of the method of engagement of the drive member and the stop member;

[0080] Figure 7 Shows something like Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the method, the cross-sectional view being located at a later position of the method and just before the cover enters the processing section;

[0081] Figure 8 Shows something like Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the cover, the cross-sectional view is located at a rear position of the method of the cover entering the processing section;

[0082] Fig. 9 Shows something like Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the method, wherein the cross-sectional view is located at a later position of the method and just after the cover enters the processing section;

[0083] Fig.10 Shows something like Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view of the cover, the cross-sectional view is located at a rear position of the method of the cover entering the cutting section; and

[0084] Fig.11 Shows something like Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of the method, wherein the cross-sectional view is located at a later position of the method during the cutting process of the cutting segment.

[0085] In principle, identical parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, which has a transport device 2 which transports caps 3 along a cutting section S. Figure 1 Only certain elements of the device 1 are shown, wherein other elements have been omitted in order to improve clarity.

[0087] The transport device 2 comprises a turntable 4 (indicated by dashed lines) and a support spindle 5. The support spindle 5 is mounted on the turntable 4 so as to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis B of said support spindle 5. The turntable 4 is indicated only schematically and may have one or more support structures, the support spindle 5 being mounted on one or more counter bearings 4.1 so as to be rotatable relative to the turntable 4 about the axis of rotation B. However, the support spindle 5 may also have, for example, a housing in which a rotatable mounting is arranged and which is fixed to the turntable 4.

[0088] The rotating table 4 is mounted on a static mounting structure (not shown) of the device 1 so as to rotate about a rotation axis C. The rotational movement r of the rotating table 4 about the rotation axis C defines an advance movement V of the support spindle 5 of the transport device 2 along the transport path T. In the embodiment of the device 1 with the rotating table 4, the transport path T is an arcuate segment. It is understood that a plurality of support spindles 5 can be rotatably mounted along the circumference of the rotating table 4, and the plurality of support spindles 5 move simultaneously along the transport path T and sequentially pass through the processing section W with the cutting section S.

[0089] A gear 5.7 coaxial with the rotation axis B is fixedly arranged on the shaft 5.6 of the support spindle 5, which should be arranged coaxial with the rotation axis B. The gear 5.7 rolls on the internal teeth 15.1 of the ring 15, which is fixed relative to the rotary table 4. Therefore, the rotation movement r of the support spindle 5 is controlled in a simple manner by the forward movement V provided by the rotation movement R of the rotary table 4. The rotation movements R and r here have opposite rotation directions. In a suitable configuration of the teeth, such a control mode can be selected, that is, when the cap 3 enters the cutting section S, the support spindle 5, especially the drive member 8 (see below) arranged thereon, has a predeterminable orientation. The teeth of the gear 5.7 and the internal teeth 15.1 of the ring 15 are selected so that the same orientation of the drive member 8 is re-determined after a complete rotation of the rotary table. Therefore, the gear 5.7 and the ring 15 together form a part of the control device of the device 1, which is easy to configure. In case of a plurality of support spindles 5 , the gears 5 . 7 of all support spindles 5 can roll on the same ring 15 so that the latter couples the rotational movement R of the support spindles 5 about the respective rotational axis B. Potential drives for driving the rotary table 4 are not shown.

[0090] exist Figure 1 In the illustration of , the supporting mandrel 5 is located in the region of the cutting section S, which forms part of the transport path T. The supporting mandrel 5 engages in the interior of the closure 3 via the supporting area 5.1 and transports the latter along the cutting section S. A cutting knife 6 with a cutting blade 6.1 is arranged in the cutting section S. The cutting blade 6.1 should be configured to be curved to adapt to the transport path T and at least partially protrude into the transport path T of the closure 3. During transportation along the cutting section S, the closure 3 rolls on the cutting blade 6.1 via the housing 3.1, so that the cutting blade 6.1 produces an incision in the housing 3.1. The supporting area 5.1 supports the housing 3.1 of the closure 3 from the inside and guides the housing 3.1 to the cutting blade 6.1. The rotation axis B of the supporting mandrel 5 is guided relative to the central axis A of the closure 3 so as to be offset in a direction perpendicular to the cutting section S. The support surface on which the closure 3 slides defines a transport plane E. The rotation axis B and the central axis A are perpendicular to the transport plane E.

[0091] Figures 2 to 11A series of methods according to the invention are shown, first in a side view with a partial cross-section ( Figures 2 to 4 ), then a cross section perpendicular to the central axis A of the cover 3 ( Figures 5 to 11 ). In order to improve Figures 5 to 11 For clarity, irrelevant features of the support spindle 5 are omitted.

[0092] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a support spindle 5 of a transport device 2 before receiving a closure 3 is shown. The support spindle 5 moves in an advance movement V and rotates around a longitudinal axis B of said support spindle 5 by a rotational movement R. In the case shown, the closure 3 has an advance movement v coordinated with the advance movement V of the support spindle 5. In this way, the transport device 2 does not have to slow down to obtain the closure 3, which is conducive to time saving and efficient processing. The closure 3 is arranged in such a way that the longitudinal axis B of the support spindle 5 (the former also corresponds to the rotational axis B of the latter) is arranged substantially coaxially with the central axis A of the closure 3.

[0093] Here, the closures 3 slide on a transport support surface 7, which now also defines a transport plane E. The longitudinal axis B of the support spindle 5 is perpendicular to the transport support surface 7 or to the transport plane E, respectively. Other guides that may be present, such as containers that move with the carousel and guide the closures 3 in the direction of the forward movement v, are not shown.

[0094] The support region 5.1 of the support mandrel 5 is formed by the outer surface of the support mandrel 5, which is configured to be approximately cylindrical. In the present case, the support region 5.1 has two completely or partially surrounding grooves 5.2, which are respectively engaged by the cutting blade 6.1 of the cutting knife 6 or another not shown cutting blade of the cutting knife 6 during the cutting step.

[0095] On the end side 5.3, which is located in the end region in the direction of the longitudinal axis B facing the closure 3, the support spindle 5 has a neck 5.4, on which the drive element 8 is arranged. The neck 5.4 can be elastically mounted. Starting from the neck 5.4, the drive element 8 extends outwards in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis B (see Figures 5 to 11 ). In the longitudinal direction B, the drive element 8 ends with the end side 5.5 of the neck 5.4. The end side 5.5 represents the outermost end of the support spindle 5.

[0096] The stopper 9 is arranged on the inner base 3.3 of the closure 3. The stopper 9 is arranged as a simple cam and extends eccentrically in the radial direction according to the central axis A of the closure 3. In particular, the stopper 9 extends eccentrically, so that, on the one hand, the support spindle 5 can be lowered onto the inner base 3.3 through the end face 5.5 of the neck 5.4 without being blocked by the stopper 9 when the support spindle 5 and the closure 3 are substantially coaxial, on the one hand. On the other hand, the provision of the stopper 9 enables the drive member 8 to obtain the stopper 9 when the support spindle 5 and the closure 3 are relatively rotated about the central axis A or the longitudinal axis B, respectively.

[0097] exist Figure 2 In the illustration, the supporting spindle 5 is in a descending movement F in the longitudinal direction B of the closure 3 so that the latter is achieved by introducing the end region of the supporting spindle 5 into the interior 3.2 of the closure 3 (alternatively, the closure 3 can also be guided upwards towards the supporting spindle 5, or the two elements can meet).

[0098] Figure 3 A schematic side view of the support spindle 5 of the transport device 2 before receiving the cover 3 is shown. Figure 2 Compared with the diagram, Figure 3 The illustration relates to a later position of the method in which the supporting mandrel 5 has been lowered further in the direction F towards the closure 3 and just before being introduced into the interior 3 . 2 of the closure 3 .

[0099] Figure 4 A schematic side view of the support spindle 5 of the transport device 2 is shown when receiving the closure 3. The support spindle 5 is completely lowered onto the inner seat 3.3 of the closure 3 by the end side 5.5 of the neck 5.4. The drive element 8 and the stop element 9 in this position are arranged in a plane parallel to the transport plane E but not yet engaged. The closure 3 is now located on the feed section Z of the transport path T running along the rails 10.

[0100] The support region 5.1 of the support mandrel 5 in said position is arranged radially within the shell region 3.4 of the shell 3.1 of the cover 3, wherein the cutout or the cutout geometry in the shell region 3.4 is to be produced in a further method.

[0101] Figure 5 A sectional view parallel to the transport plane E and through the drive element 8 and the stop element 9 is shown. The view is directed toward the transport support surface 7. After the support spindle 5 of the transport device 2 has received the cap 3, Figure 5 The location of the method Figure 4 The starting point of the feed section Z, in which the closures 3 are fed to the processing section W, is indicated by a dashed line. In the present context, the start of the feed section Z can be defined by the receiving of the closures by the support mandrel 5 .

[0102] from Figure 5As can be seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG, the housing 3.1 of the cover 3 has a notch 3.6 on the outer side 3.5 of the housing, which runs parallel to the central axis A and forms a cross section in the manner of a gear. The notch 3.6 extends a certain height in the direction A, away from the cover 3, and forms a knurl or groove respectively.

[0103] The drive member 8 is slightly inclined in a radial direction relative to B to ensure improved contact of the stop member 9 during the later engagement of the drive member 8 and the stop member 9, the latter being adjusted so as to be radial relative to A.

[0104] The supporting spindle 5 performs a rotational movement R. The closures 3 transported by the transport device 2 initially do not perform any prescribed rotational movement around the central axis A of said closures 3. Due to the feeding, an uncontrolled rotation may result. By means of the rotational movement R, the drive member 8 of the supporting spindle 5 will engage with the stop member 9 of the closure 3. In order to prevent that, due to the initial rotational movement of the closure 3, the stop member 9 runs faster than the drive member 8, resulting in a lack of reliable contact, the original rotational movement of the closure 3 may be hindered, for example by a friction fit between the outer shell 3 of the closure 3 and an elastic element (e.g. an acceptable cover), and / or by a vacuum system on the turntable.

[0105] Figure 6 Shows something like Figure 5 , located in a sectional view at the rear position of the method in which the drive member 8 and the stop member 9 are engaged.

[0106] The transport device 2 transports the closures 3 along a feed section Z and along a transport path T. In this part of the feed section Z, the contact surface 11 guiding the closures 3 during transport is arranged on the outside along the transport path T. The contact surface 11 is arranged here in such a way that the longitudinal axis B of the support spindle 5 and the central axis A of the closure 3 remain substantially coaxial. The contact surface 11 at this end is usually at a spacing from the movement path of the longitudinal axis B of the support spindle 5, which corresponds to half the outer diameter of the outer side 3.5 of the housing.

[0107] Due to the engagement between the drive 8 and the stop 9, the closure now performs a rotational movement D which corresponds to the rotational movement R of the support spindle 5. This means that the outer shell surface 3.5 of the closure 3 rolls on the contact surface 11 with a constant forward movement V, i.e. slides.

[0108] Figure 7 Shown with Figure 6 A similar cross-sectional view is shown later in the method and just before the cover 3 enters the processing section W.

[0109] At this point in the method, the rotation D of the closure 3 continues to be determined by the rotational movement R of the support spindle 5, which is transmitted to the closure 3 due to the engagement of the drive element 8 and the stop element 9. The contact surface 11 transitioning towards the processing surface has a ramp 12, which starts from the previous contour of the contact surface 11 and curves towards the transport path T. The ramp 12 guides the closure 3 in a direction X that is approximately perpendicular to the contour of the transport path T and moves the closure 3 relative to the movement path of the support spindle 5. The closure 3 is here particularly displaced so that when it subsequently enters the processing section W, it is subjected to the support area 5.1 of the support spindle 5 (not shown) through the inner side of the housing at the contact surface 11, and the rotational symmetry axis A has an offset Y relative to the longitudinal axis B of the support spindle 5. As a result, the closure 3 is displaced laterally relative to the support spindle 5, so that the central axis A of the closure 3 is arranged eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis B of the support spindle 5.

[0110] The drive element 8 and the stop element 9 in the radial direction are dimensioned in such a way that the engagement is maintained due to the eccentric displacement.

[0111] Figure 8 Shows something like Figure 7 A cross-sectional view is shown, which is located at the rear position of the method where the cover 3 enters the processing section W.

[0112] The processing section W is provided with a contact surface 13 which is offset relative to the contact surface 11 of the feed section Z to the transport path T. The ramp 12 of the feed section Z at the transition to the processing section allows a continuous transition. Thus, when entering the processing section W, the rotational symmetry axis A of the closure 3 is offset relative to the longitudinal axis B of the support mandrel 5, which corresponds to the displacement caused by the ramp 12. The contact surface 13 runs at a constant distance along the transport path T, so that the offset Y is maintained.

[0113] The contact surface 13 is provided with teeth 14, said teeth 14.1 extending perpendicularly to the transport plane E, i.e. parallel to the central axis A of the closure 3 and parallel to the longitudinal axis B of the supporting spindle 5. The teeth 14 are arranged in such a way that the teeth 14.1 can engage in the notches 3.6 of the outer shell 3.5 of the closure 3. When entering the processing section W, the teeth 14.1 engage with the notches 3.6 and the closure 3 rolls on the contact surface 13 via the outer shell 3.5. Thus, a positive control of the rotation D' of the closure 3 is achieved by the teeth 14 as a function of the forward movement V, and the outer shell 3.1 of the closure 3 is guided from the supporting area 5.1 to the contact surface 13 via the offset Y. The rotation speed of the rotation D' of the closure 3 in the processing section W is higher than the rotation speed of the rotational movement R of the supporting spindle 5 (see Fig. 9 ).

[0114] When the closure 3 enters the processing section W, the support spindle 5 and the drive member 8 arranged thereon have a predeterminable rotational position M. Due to the engagement of the drive member 8 and the stop member 9 when entering the processing section W, the closure 3 has a direction of its rotational position which can be predetermined by the rotational position of the support spindle 5. Thus, the desired rotational position of the closure 3 can be adjusted by correspondingly controlling the rotational movement of the support spindle 5. Since in a further step of the method in the processing section W, the closure 3 rolls positively on the contact surface 13, the rotational position of the closure 3 about its center axis A in the processing section W is clearly determined at each position of the method.

[0115] The cutting blade 6.1 of the cutting knife 6 is arranged in the cutting section S so that after the approach section P in the processing section W, it projects beyond the contact surface 13 in the direction of the transport path T. The approach section P and the cutting section S here constitute subsections of the processing section W.

[0116] Fig. 9 Shows something like Figure 8 A cross-sectional view is shown which is located at a later position in the method, just after the cover 3 enters the processing section W.

[0117] The rotation D' of the closure 3 in the processing section is actively controlled by the contact surface 13. The rotation D' of the closure 3 in the processing section W is at a higher speed than the rotational movement R of the support spindle 5 and thus higher than the rotational speed of the drive member 8. Due to the difference in speed, the stopper 9 rotates around the central axis A of the closure 3 at a higher speed than the drive member 8 rotates around the rotation axis B. As a result, the stopper 9 is lifted from the drive member 8 and the engagement of the drive member 8 and the stopper 9 is thereby released.

[0118] Fig.10 Shows something like Fig. 9 The sectional view is located at the rear position of the method where the cover 3 enters the cutting section S.

[0119] The entry of the cover 3 into the cutting section S corresponds to the first contact point between the housing 3.1 of the cover 3 and the cutting blade 6.1 of the cutting knife 6. Since the cutting blade 6.1 in the direction of the transport path T extends beyond the contact surface 13, the cutting blade 6.1 can penetrate the housing 3.1 and be introduced into the incision. Here, the housing 3.1 on the inner side is supported by the support area 5.1 of the support mandrel 5, which is opposite to the cutting blade 6.1. The cutting blade 6.1 can penetrate the housing 3.1 and protrude into the groove 5.2 provided in the support area 5.1.

[0120] Since the closure 3 in the region of the approach section P rolls positively on the contact surface 13, the rotational position of the closure 3 about its central axis A is clearly defined when entering the cutting section S. Thus, the first contact point of the housing 3.1 and the cutting blade 6.1, respectively, can also be clearly defined, and the incision or cutting geometry thus enables the introduction of the closure 3 in a clearly predeterminable orientation.

[0121] Due to the different rotation speeds of the closure 3 and the supporting spindle 5 , the stopper 9 with the rotation D′ is further away from the drive member 8 which is rotated by the rotary movement R.

[0122] Fig.11 Shows something like Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of the method, during the cutting process of the cutting segment S, wherein the cross-sectional view is located at a later position of the method.

[0123] During the cutting process, the outer shell 3.1 of the closure 3 rolls on the cutting blade 6.1. Here, the rotation D' of the closure 3 about its central axis A throughout the processing section W is clearly determined by the teeth 14 of the contact surface 13. In this way, the entire cut can be introduced into the closure 3 with very high precision and a predeterminable orientation of the closure 3.

[0124] Since the cover 3 and the drive member 8 rotate about different, mutually offset rotation axes A and B, respectively, the drive member 8 in the rotating state can approach the stop member 9 again. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the difference between the rotation speed of the rotation D' and the rotation speed of the rotation movement R to be sufficient to prevent any unnecessary collision between the drive member 8 and the stop member 9 in the processing section W.

Claims

1. A method for producing a cutting geometry extending in a circumferential direction in the housing of a container closure, the method comprising the following steps: a) provide a cover; b) transporting the cover along a transport path by a transport device; in c) the caps are fed to a processing section of the transport path, in which a fixed cutting knife is provided, the fixed cutting knife being provided with a cutting blade extending along a cutting section; as well as d) performing a cutting step for generating said cutting geometry in a processing section by rolling said housing on a cutting blade of a fixed cutting knife; wherein the feeding of the closures into the processing section takes place in a predeterminable rotational position orientation relative to a central axis of the closures, wherein a rotary drive member of the transport device rotating about the rotational axis engages with a stop member of the closures and the movement of the rotary drive member is controlled such that the rotational position of the rotary drive member corresponds to the predeterminable rotational position orientation of the closures relative to the central axis of the closures when the closures enter the processing section, It is characterized in that the rotation of the cover around its central axis in the processing section is controlled so that the cover performs a predetermined rotation around its central axis, wherein the rotational movement of the rotary drive member and / or the cover when entering the processing section is controlled so that the angular velocity of the rotary drive member around its rotation axis is lower than the angular velocity of the cover around its central axis.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotational movement of the rotary drive member about its rotational axis is controlled so that the stops of the rotary drive member and the closure are positively engaged during one full relative rotation between the closure and the rotary drive member during feeding and are maintained when the rotary drive member is further rotated.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The engagement is maintained at least until entering the processing section.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The rotational movement of the rotary drive member about its rotation axis is controlled so that the rotational speed during the feed corresponds to the rotational speed in the processing section area, or the first rotational speed during the feed is higher than the second rotational speed in the processing section area.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The rotational movement of the rotary drive member about its rotation axis is controlled so that a first rotational speed during feeding is higher than a second rotational speed during rolling in the cutting step.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The rotation of the cover about its central axis in the processing section is controlled so that the cover performs a predeterminable rotation about its central axis, which is largely independent of the rotational movement of the rotary drive.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The predeterminable rotation is the rolling of the outer shell of the closure on the contact surface.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The rotational movement of the rotary drive member and / or the cover when entering the processing section is controlled so that the angular velocity of the rotary drive member around its rotation axis and the angular velocity of the cover around its central axis differ by no more than 10%.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that During the feeding process, the rotational movement of the cover about its central axis is blocked.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Before the rotary drive member and the stop member engage, the rotational movement of the closure about its central axis is blocked.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that When the transport device receives the cover, the rotary drive member and the cover move relative to each other in the direction of the central axis.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The rotary drive is at least partially introduced into the interior of the closure, wherein a stopper of the closure is arranged inside the closure.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The contours of the rotary drive member and the stop member diverge from a direction parallel to the central axis.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The rotary drive is arranged on a support spindle of the transport device, which is provided with at least one support area for supporting the outer shell of the closure, which support area is rotatable about a rotation axis, the outer shell being supported from the inside during rolling on the support area.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The support area is substantially cylindrical.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The rotation axis is oriented perpendicular to the cutting section.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The rotary drive member is arranged on the axial end side of the supporting spindle, and the stopper is arranged on the inner side of the cover base.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The rotation axis of the rotary drive is guided in the processing section parallel to and eccentric to the central axis of the closure.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The axis of rotation of the support spindle is guided in the cutting section parallel to and eccentric to the central axis of the closure.

20. An apparatus for producing a circumferentially extending cutting geometry in the housing of a container closure, for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, the apparatus comprising: a) a transport device for transporting the caps along a transport path, the transport path including a processing section; in b) a fixed cutting knife arranged in the processing section and having a cutting blade extending along the cutting section, said cutting blade being used to generate a cutting geometry in the closure housing, wherein the transport device comprises a rotary drive member rotating about a rotation axis, the rotary drive member being capable of engaging with a stopper provided on the closure and being controllable so that the rotation position of the rotary drive member corresponds to the predetermined rotation position orientation of the closure relative to the central axis of the closure when the closure enters the processing section, It is characterized in that the control device is designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive member and / or the cover in the processing section so that the angular velocity of the rotary drive member around its rotation axis is lower than the angular velocity of the cover.

21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that The control device is designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive member along the transport path.

22. The device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The control device is designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive member so that the rotational speed of the rotary drive member during feeding corresponds to the rotational speed in the processing section area, or so that the first rotational speed of the rotary drive member during feeding is higher than the second rotational speed in the processing section area.

23. The device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The control device is designed and configured to control the rotational movement of the rotary drive member and / or the cover in the processing section so that the angular velocity of the rotary drive member around its rotation axis differs from the angular velocity of the cover around its central axis by no more than 20%.

24. The device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that A contact surface as a control device for the outer side of the cover housing is present in at least part of the processing section, on which the cover can roll.

25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that The cover can roll on the contact surface without slipping.

26. The device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The rotary drive is arranged on a support spindle of the transport device, the support spindle being provided with at least one support area for supporting the outer shell of the closure, the support area being rotatable around a rotation axis.

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that The support area is substantially cylindrical.

28. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that The rotation axis is oriented perpendicular to the cutting section.

29. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that The rotary drive member is disposed on the axial end side of the support spindle.

30. The device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The transport device is configured as a rotating table, wherein a plurality of supporting spindles are arranged along the circumference of the rotating table, a rotating driving member is arranged on each supporting spindle, and wherein the processing section extends along the circumference of the rotating table.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that The cutting section extends along the circumference of the rotary table.

32. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that The feed section extends along the circumference of the rotary table.

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