Device for holding containers and closure device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for holding a container and a closure device. The invention relates to a device for holding containers (105) in a container handling device (100), preferably bottles without support rings when a screw-on closure (108) or a push-on closure is applied, comprising a carrier (2) and a first (4) and a second (6) holding arm arranged on the carrier (2) and configured to hold the containers (105), the first holding arm (4) and the second holding arm (6) are arranged on the carrier (2) in such a way that the first holding arm and the second holding arm can be moved between an open position for receiving and releasing the container (105) and a closed position for holding the container (105), the first retaining arm (4) and the second retaining arm (6) are each pivotable about a pivot axis (10) and about an axis of rotation (12) oriented transversely to the pivot axis (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for holding containers in a container handling device, for example for holding bottles without a support ring for applying a screw closure or a push closure. The invention also relates to a closure device for closing filled containers with a container closure, for example for closing bottles without a support ring with a screw closure or a push closure. Background Art

[0002] In beverage filling plants, it is known practice to close containers filled with the respective filling product, for example by means of screw closures or push closures. In this case, the screw closure is lowered from above onto the container to be closed by means of a closing head while rotating. During this process, the thread of the screw closure comes into contact with a complementary thread in the mouth region of the container, and the application of the rotational movement ensures that the screw closure is screwed into the closed position.

[0003] The screw closure may be provided with a so-called "tamper-evident band", which is usually connected to the actual screw closure by a thin material bridge and is configured so that when the screw closure is opened for the first time, the tamper-evident band is torn from the actual screw closure, or partially torn and, for example, partially remains connected to the closure via one or more tethers, as in the case of "tethered caps" according to EU Directive 2019 / 904. In this way, consumers can determine whether the beverage container they purchased is intact or whether the beverage container has been opened once. To this end, the tamper-evident band interacts with a retaining ring of the container, wherein the tamper-evident band extends over the retaining ring in the direction of the bottom of the container, and in this arrangement, the material bridge is substantially located at the level of the retaining ring.

[0004] In conventional beverage filling plants, containers to be closed with screw closures have a support ring in the neck region of the container below a retaining ring. In this case, the container is clamped in the neck region below the support ring, wherein the container rests with its support ring on a correspondingly configured clamping device, such as a clamp.

[0005] In order to counteract the torque exerted on the container by screwing the container closure, the support ring is usually held in the neck guide by means of a so-called "nail plate", wherein the nail plate has an upwardly pointing post or nail, which engages in the support ring of the container from below to support the torque exerted via the closing head and thus makes it possible to screw the container closure onto the container. Depending on the configuration of the support ring / support area, the nail can also point upward and inward or inward. Embodiments without nails are also possible, because there are also "screw-on closures" that are only pressed, which are called "press-on closures".

[0006] In order to discharge the container, which is then provided with a screw closure, from the neck guide after the closing process has taken place and to feed the container to a downstream production step, the procedure in conventional beverage filling plants is to push the container upwards via a ramp guide away from the upright of the neck guide. In this case, the support ring of the container runs onto a fixed ramp guide in order to disengage the support ring from the upright and thus allow the filled and now closed container to be transferred, for example via a discharge star, to a subsequent processing station.

[0007] The prior art also includes devices in which the nail plate can be moved under the receiving element for the support ring between an engagement position of the upright and an open position in which the nail plate is pivoted downward. For example, a device of this type can be found in WO 2009 / 068633 A1. In order to ensure that the nail plate does not collide with the container during its movement into the open position, the container must have a relatively long, essentially cylindrical neck region section under its support ring.

[0008] A new generation of containers has no support ring. These containers are also referred to as "bottles without support ring". These bottles without support ring only have a retaining ring with which the tamper-evident tape of the screw-type closure can interact in such a way that the tamper-evident function is maintained. The advantage of bottles without support rings is that material is saved compared to containers with support rings. Due to the absence of a support ring, it is no longer possible to handle with the aid of a rigid nail plate in this area, since the closure and in particular the tamper-evident tape surround the retaining ring substantially completely. In other words, when the screw-type closure has been applied, the retaining ring is no longer freely accessible, but is covered by the tamper-evident tape. Here, lifting the filled and closed bottle with the aid of known fixed ramp guides can lead to the tamper-evident tape, which then comes into contact with the ramp guide, being worn, damaged or even torn.

[0009] Alternatively, the container closure can also simply be pressed. The term "press-on closure" is then used. During the application of these closures, the closing head is not rotated; instead, the closure is merely pressed. Press-on closures can also be provided for application to bottles without a support ring.

[0010] In order to handle bottles without support rings, in particular to hold bottles without support rings when closing them with container closures, the prior art accordingly includes such a device, which comprises a carrier and a holding assembly arranged on the carrier, wherein the holding assembly comprises a collar-shaped support projection for supporting the container on its holding ring. Such a device is known, for example, from DE 10 2014 105907 A1. The support projection is configured so that it contacts the holding ring of the container from below and radially inside the tamper-evident strip of the applied container closure and is thus able to directly hold the container, even when the container closure has been applied. In order to ensure the raising and lowering of the container relative to the support projection, a lifting finger is provided, which can be moved parallel to the container axis and by means of which the container can be lifted from the support projection. During this process, the lifting finger contacts the tamper-evident strip of the applied container closure.

[0011] In order to be able to handle such bottles without support rings, these bottles have a relatively long cylindrical or slightly conical section in their neck region, below the holding ring, which section enables a corresponding raising and lowering of the lifting finger. For reasons associated with saving additional material, the overall visual impression of the container and the applied container closure, and increasing the security of the tamper-evident band against interference from below the container closure, the section in the neck region is significantly shortened in the case of newer generation bottles without support rings. In the case of bottles without support rings designed in this way, it is no longer possible to provide the travel required using conventional holding assemblies between the support projection and the container by raising and lowering parallel to the container axis, since the corresponding factory components would then hit the shoulder region of the container.

[0012] DE 10 2019 113 653 A1 discloses a device for holding bottles without a supporting ring in order to apply a screw-type closure, the device comprising a carrier and a holding assembly, which is arranged on the carrier and has a supporting protrusion area of ​​a first holding arm and a supporting protrusion area of ​​a second holding arm, wherein the first holding arm and the second holding arm can each be arranged on the carrier so as to be pivotable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position about a pivot axis lying in a pivot axis plane extending parallel to the holding plane. Summary of the invention

[0013] Starting from the known prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an improved device for holding containers in a container handling device, preferably for holding bottles without a support ring for applying a screw closure or a push closure, and an improved container handling device.

[0014] This object is achieved by a device for holding containers in a container handling device, preferably for holding bottles without a support ring for applying a screw closure, having the features according to one aspect of the invention. Advantageous further developments are to be found in the other aspects of the invention, the description and the drawings.

[0015] Therefore, a device is proposed for holding containers in a container handling device, preferably for holding bottles without support rings for applying screw closures or push closures, the device comprising a carrier and a first holding arm and a second holding arm arranged on the carrier for holding the container, wherein the first holding arm and the second holding arm are arranged on the carrier such that the first holding arm and the second holding arm can be moved relative to each other between an open position, in which the container can be fed, received in the device and similarly can be released from the device and removed from the device, and a closed position for holding the container.

[0016] The first retaining arm and the second retaining arm can each be pivoted about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position and rotated about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the pivot axis.

[0017] In other words, from the open position into the closed position and vice versa, the retaining arms each perform a predetermined pivoting movement about their respective pivot axis and a predetermined rotational movement about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the pivot axis. The movement of the retaining arms can be performed synchronously or asynchronously. The two retaining arms can also each move at least partially in unison and / or at least partially incoherently.

[0018] In the present case, the term "transversely" or "a geometrical axis is oriented transversely with respect to some other geometrical axis" is interpreted to mean that the two axes enclose an angle greater than 0 degrees or, in the case of skewed axes, one axis encloses an angle greater than 0 degrees with the parallel projection of the other axis onto the first axis, i.e. the one axis is not parallel to the other axis. For example, the axes may be perpendicular to each other. Inclined arrangements not equal to 90° in all directions are also possible.

[0019] Since the first holding arm and the second holding arm can each be pivoted about a pivot axis and about a rotation axis oriented transversely to the pivot axis and arranged perpendicularly to the holding plane between the open position and the closed position, an increased opening angle can be provided compared to an arrangement in which the holding arms are merely pivoted. As a result, the feeding and removal of containers becomes easier, in particular with regard to the accuracy of the feeding. Furthermore, a container handling device having the device and the device for feeding containers to and removing containers from the container handling device can have a more compact design, in particular with regard to the pitch circle diameter required for transportation.

[0020] By means of an additional rotation of the holding arm, the holding arm, more specifically the area of ​​the holding arm in which the holding arm contacts the container in order to hold the container, can be moved further away from each other in the open position than in the case of a pure pivoting movement. Thus, while obtaining a compact structure of the device, the support area in which the holding arms each contact the container can be made larger than in the case of conventional devices of the prior art. In particular, the support area can be configured to be perpendicular to the conveying direction of the container outside the widest area of ​​the container, for example, in the case of a container handling device of a rotating structure, the conveying direction is a direction radially outward relative to the rotation center axis of the rotating turntable of the container handling device. The large support area makes it possible to hold the container in the device in a stable manner. In particular, the risk that the mouth of the container will tilt during closing due to the conveying of the container, especially in the case of a rotating conveying direction, is reduced. Thus, compared with conventional devices of the prior art, closing errors can be reduced or even completely avoided. It is therefore also possible to dispense with an external circumferential guide for the container on the container handling device, which is usually necessary in the case of prior art devices and which must be provided in the case of conventional devices in order to guide the container radially on the outside relative to the central axis of rotation, for example on the neck of the container, and which must support the bottle mouth in order to avoid the neck tilting away, as this would lead to closing errors.

[0021] The pivot axis and the rotation axis of each retaining arm may have an intersection point or may be offset relative to each other.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the above-mentioned angle between the pivot axis and the rotation axis or the angle between the parallel projection of the pivot axis onto the rotation axis and the rotation axis, or vice versa, the angle between the parallel projection of the rotation axis onto the pivot axis and the pivot axis, may be in the range of 30° to 90°, for example 45° to 90°, or 60° to 90°. The pivot axis and the rotation axis of each retaining arm may be arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0023] In the closed position, the retaining arms may define a retaining plane, and the axis of rotation may be arranged perpendicular to the retaining plane.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the pivot axis can lie in the holding plane or in a pivot axis plane extending parallel to the holding plane.

[0025] In order to allow or improve the transport of containers without a supporting ring, the holding arms can each comprise a collar-shaped supporting projection region to form a supporting projection for supporting the container on its holding ring.

[0026] In other words, according to an alternative embodiment, the two support projection areas together form a collar-shaped support projection for supporting the container on the retaining ring of the container. The support projection areas can each extend from their retaining arms in such a way that the support projection areas extend upwards or radially inwards and upwards, thereby ensuring that the support projection areas engage under the tamper-evident tape of the container closure without absorbing any part of the weight of the container via the tamper-evident tape. For this purpose, the support projection areas can be configured such that: in the closed position, the support projection areas and the remaining retaining arms are at a distance from the tamper-evident tape of the container closure applied to the container.

[0027] The term "upwardly" describes a direction which is oriented opposite to the direction of gravity in an envisaged installation position of the device.

[0028] The support projection areas of the holding arms in the closed position may define a holding plane when the holding arms surround the support projection areas. In the open position, the support projection areas may be located radially outside the position of the support projection areas in the closed position in a viewing direction of a reference axis oriented perpendicularly to the holding plane and arranged centrally between the support projection areas in the closed position, and in the open position, when viewed in the direction of the reference axis, the support projection areas may be at a lower height than the support projection areas in the closed position.

[0029] In other words, if the bearing projection region is present, the holding arm can define the holding plane by the bearing projection region of the holding arm. The bearing projection region then forms the bearing region of the holding arm.

[0030] As with the term "upwards" explained above, the term "lower altitude" relates to the direction of gravity of the Earth. Thus, "arranged at a lower altitude" or "located at a lower altitude" means closer to the center of the Earth than a reference object or reference position, similar to an indication of altitude with reference to mean sea level / orthometric height or a standard datum plane or vertical datum. Thus, the term describes an arrangement below this reference, wherein the object being compared may be offset transversely to the direction of gravity, i.e. not limited to a parallel displacement in the direction of gravity.

[0031] The holding arms, more particularly the collar-shaped supporting projection region of the holding arms, if present, can be designed in such a way that a container held by the device is held with its container longitudinal axis perpendicular to the holding plane.

[0032] According to one embodiment, in the envisaged installation position of the device, the holding plane can be oriented perpendicularly to the direction of gravity, ie horizontally.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the device can be configured such that during the movement of the retaining arm from the closed position to the open position, the retaining arm performs a rotational movement only, i.e., only around the rotation axis in a first movement section, and in another movement section after the first movement section, the retaining arm performs a pivotal movement around the pivot axis, or a pivotal movement around the pivot axis and another rotational movement around the rotation axis, and vice versa.

[0034] Here, the term "vice versa" refers to movement from the open position to the closed position in a similar sequence, that is, the device is also correspondingly constructed so that during the movement of the retaining arm from the closed position to the open position, starting from the other movement section, the retaining arm performs a pivotal movement around the pivot axis, or a pivotal movement around the pivot axis and another rotational movement around the rotation axis, and in the next first movement section, only, that is, only a rotational movement is performed around the rotation axis.

[0035] Alternatively, the device can be configured such that during the movement of the retaining arm from the closed position to the open position, the retaining arm performs only a pivotal movement about its pivot axis in a first movement section, and in another movement section following the first movement section, the retaining arm performs a rotational movement about the rotation axis, or a rotational movement about the rotation axis and another pivotal movement about the pivot axis, and vice versa.

[0036] Here, the term "vice versa" again refers to movement from the open position to the closed position in a similar sequence, that is, the device is also correspondingly constructed so that during the movement of the retaining arm from the open position to the closed position, starting from the other movement section, the retaining arm performs a rotational movement about the rotation axis, or a rotational movement about the rotation axis and another pivotal movement about the pivot axis, and in the next first movement section only, i.e. only, a pivotal movement is performed about its pivot axis.

[0037] In order to be able to control the position of the holding arms in a specific intended manner, according to one embodiment, the device may comprise an actuator unit for predetermining the position of the holding arms. In this case, the actuator unit may comprise a first actuator component for controlling the pivoting movement of the holding arms around their respective pivot axes and a second actuator component for controlling the rotational movement of the holding arms around their respective rotational axes. The first actuator component may optionally be controlled separately from the second actuator component.

[0038] In order to enable the holding arm to be moved between the open position and the closed position, the device may comprise a transmission assembly for moving the holding arm. The transmission assembly may for example be arranged on and / or inside the carrier. The transmission assembly may at least partially be part of the actuator unit.

[0039] The holding arms may each be connected for common rotation to a transmission lever which may be pivotable about a pivot axis.The transmission lever may have at least one radial lever arm which is arranged at a predetermined radial distance from the pivot axis on the transmission lever.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first actuator part can be connected via in each case a connecting rod to in each case a radial arm of the transmission rod, which radial arm is connected for joint rotation to the holding arm and can be pivoted about the pivot axis of the connected holding arm. It is advantageous if the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the lever arm, for example via a swivel joint, which can optionally be embodied as a ball joint. Thus, a stable and precise control of the pivot position of the holding arm can be achieved.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the second actuator part can be connected to at least one or two transmission rods of the holding arm via a connecting rod in each case, for example via a swivel joint, optionally via a ball joint, for example in a rotatable manner. Thus, a stable and precise control of the swivel movement of the holding arm can be achieved.

[0042] Furthermore, the first actuator part can have a plate-shaped body on which at least one guide rail is arranged for predetermining the angular position of at least one holding arm relative to a pivot axis assigned to the at least one holding arm.

[0043] Alternatively or additionally, the second actuator component can have a plate-shaped body on which at least one guide rail is arranged for predetermining the angular position of the at least one holding arm relative to a rotation axis assigned to the at least one holding arm.

[0044] If the transmission rod is guided translationally at a distance from its connection to the holding arm, for example relative to its connection to the holding arm, wherein the transmission rod is rotatably mounted on the holding arm, the rotation axis of the holding arm can be predetermined in a simple and stable manner.

[0045] The holding arms can be guided in a translation plane which is optionally oriented parallel to the holding plane, wherein the transmission rods can optionally each comprise a slide which can be guided in a guide, for example a guide groove.

[0046] According to one embodiment, each retaining arm may be attached to a first side of the spherical element of the ball joint, and the transmission rod may also be attached to the spherical element on a second side of the spherical element opposite to the side where the retaining arms are located.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the device, more particularly the actuator unit of the device, if present, can comprise at least one spring element for preloading the holding arm into a predetermined position, for example into a closed position or into an open position.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, the actuator unit may comprise at least one spring element for preloading the first actuator part and / or the second actuator part into a predetermined position.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the actuator unit may be of a pneumatically, hydraulically and / or electrically controllable design and / or may include control elements for interacting with a track-type cam control system and / or a grooved guide and / or a protrusion cam control system.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the holding arm can be configured such that in the closed position, the container is supported on the lower side of the holding ring of the container by the collar-shaped supporting projection area and / or in the closed position, the container is radially clamped by the clamping area of ​​the holding arm oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container. The application of the clamping force and its level can be controlled in particular by a rotational movement of the lever arm about its rotational axis.

[0051] The carrier may comprise a support section arranged to support the container on a retaining ring of the container or on an anti-tampering band of a container closure applied to the container when the retaining arm has been moved to the open position. The support section may be selectively arranged at a predetermined distance below a retaining plane predetermined by the retaining arm, more specifically, if present, a retaining plane predetermined by the supporting protrusion area, when in the closed position, wherein the distance is configured such that, for example, in the closed position of the retaining arm, the applied container closure is at a distance of, for example, 0.1 mm to 2 mm, optionally 0.3 mm to 1 mm from the support section. Thus, after the container is released by the retaining arm and the retaining arm has been moved into the open position, the closed container may be supported by the support section.

[0052] The supporting protrusion area of ​​the holding arm can optionally have at least one protruding post, which is used to prevent the container received by the holding arm from rotating about its container axis, wherein, optionally, at least one post points upward in the closed position and / or at least one post points in the direction of another supporting protrusion area in the closed position, that is, radially inwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis of the container held in the holding arm.

[0053] As an option, the pivot axis plane in which the pivot axis is optionally located can be arranged above a holding plane predetermined, for example, by a bearing projection area. Alternatively, the pivot axis plane can be arranged at the level of the holding plane, or can coincide with the holding plane, or, in another way of saying it, can correspond to the holding plane.

[0054] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a closure device having the features of another aspect of the invention for closing a filled container with a container closure, preferably a bottle without a support ring with a screw closure or a push closure. Advantageous further developments will be found in the present description and the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Therefore, a closure device is proposed for filling a filled container with a container closure, preferably for closing a bottle without a support ring with a screw closure or a push closure, the closure device comprising a closure member for applying the container closure to the filled container and a device for holding the container according to any of the above-described embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] Other preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0057] Figure 1 schematically shows a plan view of a closing device for closing a filled container by means of a container closure;

[0058] Figure 2 Schematically shows the Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a closure device;

[0059] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the installation Figure 1 and Figure 2 A device for holding a container in a closure device, wherein the holding arm of the device is in a closed position;

[0060] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3 The device, wherein the retaining arm of the device is in a neutral position;

[0061] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 The device, wherein the retaining arm of the device is in an open position;

[0062] Figure 6 Schematically shows the Figures 3 to 5 A three-dimensional side view of the device;

[0063] Figure 7 A side view of a retaining arm is schematically shown, and more specifically, Figures 3 to 6 a retaining arm assembly of a retaining arm of the device;

[0064] Figure 8 schematically shows a perspective side view of another device for holding a container in a container handling device;

[0065] Fig. 9 Schematically shows Figure 8 Another three-dimensional side view of the device;

[0066] Fig.10 schematically shows a cross-section through another device for holding a container; and

[0067] Fig.11 Schematically shows Figures 3 to 6 A side view of a partial area of ​​the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, elements that are the same, similar or function in the same way in different drawings are provided with the same reference numerals, and in some cases, repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted in order to avoid redundancy.

[0069] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a plan view of a closure device 100 for closing filled containers with a container closure, in the present case with a screw closure or alternatively a push closure for closing containers without a support ring. Figure 2 Schematically shows the Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of a closure device 100. The closure device 100 is an example of a container handling device. The closure device 100 has a rotating structure. Therefore, the closure device 100 includes a processing turntable 102, which can rotate around a central rotation axis 101 and has a plurality of closure members 103 arranged in a uniformly distributed manner in its circumference, the plurality of closure members 103 for applying container closures to filled containers. Each closure member 103 is assigned to a device 1 for holding a container. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In each of , only two closure members 103 of the plurality of closure members 103 and two devices 1 of the plurality of devices 1 are shown as an example.

[0070] Figures 3 to 5 The apparatus for holding the container 105 in the Figure 1 and Figure 2 A three-dimensional side view of the device 1 in the closure device 100.

[0071] The device 1 comprises a carrier 2 and a first holding arm 4 and a second holding arm 6 arranged on the carrier 2 for holding a container 105. The first holding arm 4 and the second holding arm 6 are arranged on the carrier 2 such that the first holding arm 4 and the second holding arm 6 can be moved between an open position for receiving and releasing the container 105 and a closed position for holding the container 105.

[0072] Figure 3 The device 1 is shown with the retaining arms 4, 6 in a closed position. Figure 5 The open position of the retaining arms 4 , 6 is shown. Figure 4 It is shown that the holding arms 4, 6 are from Figure 3 The closed position moves to the Figure 5 The position of the retaining arms 4, 6 in the state during the open position is referred to as the "intermediate position" below.

[0073] In the closed position, the holding arms 4, 6 define a holding plane 8 on which the holding ring of the held container 105, more precisely its lower surface, rests. According to this embodiment, the holding plane 8 is oriented horizontally, ie perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0074] The first holding arm 4 and the second holding arm 6 can each be pivoted about a pivot axis 10 between an open position and a closed position and rotated about a rotation axis 12, wherein the rotation axis 12 is oriented transversely to the pivot axis 10 and arranged perpendicularly to the holding plane 8. According to this alternative embodiment, the pivot axis 10 and the rotation axis 12 are oriented orthogonally relative to each other and the pivot axis 10 is oriented parallel to the holding plane 8.

[0075] exist Figure 3 In the closed position of the holding arms 4, 6 shown in FIG, the pivot axes 10 are oriented parallel to one another. However, as an alternative, the pivot axes 10 can also have some other orientation relative to one another in the closed position.

[0076] The device 1 is configured so that during the movement of the holding arms from the closed position to the open position, the holding arms 4, 6 in a first movement section only perform a pivoting movement about their respective pivot axis 10, more specifically a pivoting movement of a predetermined pivoting angle. The pivoting angle is optionally predetermined to be 30° (=π / 6 radians), but may also have some other value, for example 10°, 20°, 45° or 60°.

[0077] The device can be configured such that the predetermined pivoting angle can be varied, for example by means of a modified setting which can be performed during the changeover process.

[0078] The first movement section corresponds to the movement of the holding arms 4, 6 from Figure 3 Move to the closed position shown in Figure 4 The middle position shown in .

[0079] After the first movement section, the holding arms 4, 6 perform only a rotational movement about their rotation axis 12 in a further movement section, which corresponds to the holding arms 4, 6 moving from Figure 4 Move to the intermediate position shown in Figure 5 The open position shown in .

[0080] On the contrary, in a similar sequence according to this optional embodiment, starting from the open position and moving into the closed position, the retaining arms 4, 6 perform only a rotational movement about their rotation axis 12 from the open position to the intermediate position in the further movement section and then perform only a pivotal movement about their pivot axis 10 in the subsequent first movement section.

[0081] Alternatively, the holding arms 4 , 6 can also perform in the first movement section only a rotational movement about their rotational axis 12 or a combined movement comprising a pivoting movement about their pivot axis 10 and a rotational movement about their rotational axis 12 .

[0082] Furthermore, the holding arms 4 , 6 can also perform in the further movement section only a (further) pivoting movement about their pivot axis 10 or a combined movement comprising a (further) pivoting movement about their pivot axis 10 and a (further) rotational movement about their rotational axis 12 .

[0083] The angle of the rotational movement is likewise predetermined. In the present case, the predetermined pivot angle of the holding arms 4, 6 about their pivot axis 12 is in each case 8°. Since the holding arms 4, 6 are rotated equally in opposite directions, an opening angle 14 of 16° is obtained between the holding arms 4, 6, which is enclosed by the holding arms 4, 6, more specifically by the pivot axis 10. Alternatively, some other pivot angle can also be predetermined and / or the predetermined pivot angle can be changed or adjusted.

[0084] In order to be able to predetermine the position of the holding arms 4 , 6 relative to the carrier 2 , the device 1 comprises an actuator unit 16 .

[0085] According to this embodiment, the actuator unit 16 comprises a control rod 18, which can be moved along a control axis 20. In the installed position of the device 1 in the closure device 100, the control axis 20 is oriented parallel to the direction of gravity in the present case. In the present case, the control axis 20 is oriented parallel to the rotation axis 12. In the present case, the control axis 20 is oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis 10. However, the orientation of the control axis 20 is not limited to the above orientation.

[0086] exist Figures 3 to 5 In the embodiment, the control lever 18 comprises an interaction element at its upper end, which in the present case is configured as a running roller 22, which is configured to roll along a cam guide (not shown here) which is arranged for co-rotation on a fixed base frame of the closure device 100.

[0087] The actuator unit 16 further comprises a transmission assembly 24 via which the control rod 18 is coupled to the holding arms 4 , 6 for the purpose of controlling the pivoting and rotational movements of the holding arms 4 , 6 .

[0088] Figure 6 Schematically shows the Figures 1 to 5 1 , wherein an interior view of the carrier 2 is exposed because the carrier 2 , more specifically the carrier housing of the carrier 2 , is cut open.

[0089] The actuator unit 16 comprises a first actuator part 26 for controlling the pivotal movement of the holding arms 4 , 6 about their respective pivot axis 10 and a second actuator part 28 for controlling the rotational movement of the holding arms 4 , 6 about their respective rotational axis 12 .

[0090] The first actuator part 26 is connected via in each case one first connecting rod 30 to in each case one radial lever arm 35, which is connected at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis 10, in this case rotatably connected by means of a ball joint 37 to a transmission rod 34, which is connected for common rotation to in each case one holding arm 4, 6 and can be pivoted about the pivot axis 10 of the connected holding arm 4, 6. The second actuator part 28 is connected via in each case one second connecting rod 32 to in each case one of the transmission rods 34, in the present case rotatably connected to one of the transmission rods 34 via a ball joint 38.

[0091] The transmission rod 34 is connected at its holding arm ends in each case via a ball joint 36 to one of the holding arms 4 , 6 for common rotation.

[0092] At the end of the transmission rod 34 opposite the end of the holding arm, the transmission rod 34 is guided translationally in a translation plane oriented parallel to the holding plane 8 according to the present embodiment, for example via a slide 41 in a guide groove of a slide guide 40 arranged on the carrier 2. The translation plane is the product of the direction of the translational guidance of the slide 41 in the slide guide 40 and the center of rotation of the ball joint 36.

[0093] A support section 42 is also arranged on the carrier 2, which serves to support the container 105 on the retaining ring or tamper-evident band 106 of the applied container closure 108 when the retaining arms 4, 6 have been moved into the open position. The support section 42 can be arranged at a predetermined distance below the retaining plane 8 defined by the retaining arms 4, 6 in the closed position, wherein, for example, the distance is configured such that: in the closed position of the retaining arms 4, 6, the applied container closure 108 is spaced apart from the support section 42, in the present case optionally by a distance of 0.1 mm to 2 mm, for example by a distance of 0.3 mm to 1 mm. Here, the distance is 0.6 mm.

[0094] The control rod 18 is sealed relative to the carrier 2 by means of a diaphragm seal 44 .

[0095] Figures 3 to 5 The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to have a hermetically sealed structure, wherein the sealing diaphragm seals at the top and another diaphragm seals on the holding arm 4. However, alternatively, the device 1 may also be configured to have an open structure.

[0096] Figure 7 The holding arm 4 is schematically shown, more specifically Figures 1 to 6 4 is a side view of the retaining arm assembly of the retaining arm.

[0097] As already mentioned, the retaining arm 4 is attached to one side of the ball joint 36, more specifically to one side of the spherical element 39 of the ball joint 36, and on the opposite side of the ball joint 36, more specifically on the opposite side of the spherical element 39 of the ball joint 36, the transmission rod 34 is attached to the spherical element 39. The ball joint 36 provides or forms a pivot axis 10 and a rotation axis 12, which intersect each other at the rotation center 45 of the ball joint.

[0098] It can also be seen that the lever arm 35 is arranged at a predetermined radial distance 46 relative to the pivot axis 10 .

[0099] Furthermore, the guide of the transmission rod 34 via its slide 41 in the slide guide 40 is shown. The guide orientation in the slide guide 40, ie the guide direction, is perpendicular to the Figure 7 The guiding orientation extends perpendicularly to the rotation axis 12. The guiding orientation extends perpendicularly to the direction of gravity.

[0100] The center of rotation 45 and the guide direction define a rotation plane 48 , to which the rotation axis 12 of the holding arm 4 is perpendicular.

[0101] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the holding arms 4 and 6 of the device 1 are in Figure 5 Open position shown.

[0102] The first actuator member 26 and the second actuator member 28 are coupled to the control rod 18 in such a way that when the control rod 18 is moved downward, Figure 6 , i.e. when moving towards the holding arms 4, 6 and the transmission rod 34, initially only the second actuator part 28 moves in the direction of the control axis 20 towards the transmission rod 34. As a result, the holding arms 4, 6 rotate inwards about their respective rotation axes 12, i.e. towards each other. This corresponds to the further movement section described above. After the control rod 18 has traveled the stroke assigned to the further movement section in the direction of the transmission rod 34, the holding arms 4, 6 are in the Figure 4 The middle position shown in .

[0103] Furthermore, the first actuator part 26 and the second actuator part 28 are coupled to the control lever 18 in such a way that, after the stroke of the control lever 18 assigned to the further movement section has been reached or exceeded, that is to say, starting from the intermediate position, only the first actuator part 26 is moved in the direction of the control axis 20 towards the transmission rod 34. As a result, the retaining arms 4, 6 are pivoted inwardly and upwardly about their respective pivot axes 10 into the closed position. This corresponds to the above-mentioned first movement section.

[0104] In order to achieve the movement of the holding arms 4 , 6 as described above, the actuator members 26 , 28 are each movable relative to the control rod 18 within a predetermined stroke.

[0105] The second actuator part 28 is preloaded relative to the control rod 18 by a spring (not shown here) and can be moved toward the transmission rod 34 up to a stop (not shown here) arranged on the carrier 2. After contact with the stop, the spring is compressed between the control rod 18 and the second actuator part 28.

[0106] The first actuator part 26 is preloaded relative to the carrier 2 by a spring (not shown here). In the further movement section, the control rod 18 is freely movable relative to the first actuator part 26, and the first actuator part 26 therefore remains unchanged in its position. In the intermediate position, no contact occurs between the stop (not shown here) arranged on the control rod 18 and the first actuator part 26. In the first movement section, the first actuator part 26 is then pushed toward the transmission rod 34 via the stop of the control rod 18, and the spring is correspondingly compressed between the first actuator part 26 and the carrier 2. Due to the movement of the first actuator part 26 toward the transmission rod 34, the holding arms 4, 6 perform a pivoting movement of the holding arms 4, 6 via their respective pivot axes 10.

[0107] Figure 8 A device 1 for holding containers 105 in a container handling device, for example for holding bottles without a support ring in order to apply a screw closure or a push closure, is schematically shown according to another embodiment, which device 1 can replace Figures 3 to 6 The device 1 is used according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the closure device 100 shown.

[0108] Figure 8 The device in Figures 3 to 6 The device in FIG. 1 corresponds to the device in FIG. 1 , and the only difference is the structure of the actuator unit 16 and the coupling member connected to the holding arms 4 and 6, that is, the structure of the transmission assembly.

[0109] Instead of Figure 6 and Figure 7 The two actuator components 26 and 28 described are connected via a connecting rod. Figure 8 The actuator unit 16 of the device 1 comprises actuator components 26 , 28 of plate-like design.

[0110] The actuator parts 26, 28 are firmly connected to the control lever 18. The actuator parts 26, 28 comprise guide cams, described in more detail below, via which the pivoting and rotational movements of the holding arms 4, 6 are predetermined.

[0111] exist Figure 8 In the above example, the Figures 3 to 6 1 and 2. The carrier 2 and the slide guide 40 of substantially identical design, as well as the plate-shaped second actuator part 28 are shown in FIG. 1, in order to turn the focus to the plate-shaped first actuator part 26 in order to enable the mode of operation thereof to be explained.

[0112] Fig. 9 Schematically shows Figure 8 Another perspective side view of the device 1, in which the second actuator component 28 is inserted to enable its operating mode to be explained.

[0113] As from Figure 8 As can be seen in the drawing, the first actuator part 26 comprises a plate-shaped body 50 on opposite sides of which guide rails 52 are formed. A guide block 54 arranged on the lever arm 35 rests on the guide rail 52 and slides on its associated guide rail 52 during movement of the control rod 18 and therefore of the first actuator part 26 relative to the transmission rod 34 in the direction of the control axis 20.

[0114] from Fig. 9As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the second actuator component 28 comprises a plate-shaped body 58 in which a slot-shaped guide track 60 is provided. The guide block 56 arranged on the transmission rod 34 is guided on the guide track 60.

[0115] In this embodiment, the mounting of the transmission rod 34 relative to the carrier 2 and the attachment of the transmission rod 34 to the holding arms 4, 6 also correspond to the embodiment according to Figure 7 design.

[0116] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the retaining arms 4, 6 are positioned in the closed position.

[0117] Since the surface of the guide track 52 of the first actuator member 26 is inclined relative to the control axis 20, when the control rod 18 is moved from Figure 8 and Fig. 9 During the movement from the position shown in the figure to the closed position, the holding arms 4, 6 perform a continuous pivoting movement. Thus, the holding arms 4, 6 perform a pivoting movement in the first movement section and perform another pivoting movement in the further movement section.

[0118] As from Fig. 9 As can be seen in FIG. 8 , the guide track 60 of the second actuator part 28 comprises a section 62 oriented obliquely to the control axis 20 and an adjoining section 64 oriented parallel to the control axis 20 .

[0119] During the actuation of the control lever 18, i.e. during the movement of the actuator unit 16 towards the holding arms 4, 6, the guide block 56 initially slides parallel to the control axis 20 or parallel to the section 64 oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 12. The angular position of the guide block 56 and therefore the angular position of the slide 41 relative to the axis of rotation 12 associated therewith remains unchanged. Therefore, the holding arms 4, 6 do not perform a rotational movement in the first movement section predetermined by the parallel oriented sections 64.

[0120] In the further movement section predetermined by the obliquely oriented section 62 , the guide block 56 and thus the slide 41 move toward each other. Thus, the holding arms 4 , 6 are rotated away from each other about their rotational axes 12 in the further movement section.

[0121] The actuator unit 16 also comprises a spring element (not shown here) which in the present case preloads the control rod 18 into the Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The holding arms 4 , 6 are preloaded into the open position in the position shown in .

[0122] Fig.10Schematically shows a section through a device 1 for holding a container 105 in a container treatment device according to another embodiment, which device 1 can also be used in a container according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The closure device 100 shown. The device 1 corresponds essentially to Figure 6 Device 1, wherein, instead of the second actuator part 28 attached to the transmission rod 34 via a connecting rod, the actuator unit 16 comprises a device similar to that according to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The plate-shaped second actuator component 28 of the embodiment of FIG. In addition, a groove-shaped slide guide 40 is arranged directly in the wall of the carrier 2, more specifically the carrier housing.

[0123] Fig.11 Schematically shows Figures 3 to 6 This side view also corresponds to a side view of a partial area of ​​the device 1 according to Figures 8 to 10 A side view of the same partial area of ​​the device 1.

[0124] It can be seen that the holding arms 4, 6 according to these alternative embodiments each comprise a collar-shaped supporting projection area 70 for supporting the container 105 on the holding ring 109 of the container 105. The supporting projection area 70 of the holding arms 4, 6 thus defines a holding plane 8 in the closed position.

[0125] The pivoting of the holding arms 4, 6 about their pivot axes causes the bearing projection areas 70 to pivot outward and downward relative to the container 105. Thus, in the open position, the holding arms 4, 6 are located radially outside the position of the bearing projection areas 70 in the closed position in a viewing direction oriented perpendicular to the reference axis of the holding plane 8 and are arranged centrally between the bearing projection areas 70 in the closed position. Furthermore, in the open position, the bearing projection areas 70 are at a lower height than the bearing projection areas 70 in the closed position when viewed in the direction of the reference axis.

[0126] Where applicable, all of the individual features illustrated in the exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0127] Reference numerals list

[0128] 1 device

[0129] 2 bearing parts

[0130] 4First holding arm

[0131] 6 Second holding arm

[0132] 8. Keep it flat

[0133] 10 Pivot axis

[0134] 12 Rotation axis

[0135] 16 actuator units

[0136] 18 Control rods

[0137] 20 control axis

[0138] 22 running rollers

[0139] 24 transmission components

[0140] 26 first actuator member

[0141] 28 second actuator member

[0142] 30 first connecting rod

[0143] 32 Second connecting rod

[0144] 34 transmission connecting rod

[0145] 35 lever arm

[0146] 36 Ball Joint

[0147] 37 Ball Joint

[0148] 38 ball joint

[0149] 39 Spherical elements

[0150] 40 Slider guide

[0151] 41 Sliders

[0152] 42 Supporting section

[0153] 44 Diaphragm seal

[0154] 45 Rotation Center

[0155] 46 Radial distance

[0156] 48 Rotation plane

[0157] 50 main body

[0158] 52 guide rail

[0159] 54 guide block

[0160] 56 guide block

[0161] 58 Main body

[0162] 60 guide rail

[0163] 62 is oriented to be inclined to the section of the control axis

[0164] 64 is oriented parallel to the control axis section

[0165] 70 sets of annular support protrusion areas

[0166] 100 closure devices

[0167] 101Central rotation axis

[0168] 102 Processing turntable

[0169] 103 Enclosure components

[0170] 105 Containers

[0171] 106 tamper-evident tape

[0172] 108 container closure

[0173] 109 retaining ring

Claims

1. A device (1) for holding a container (105) in a container handling device (100), the device (1) preferably being used for holding bottles without a support ring when applying a screw closure (108) or a push closure, the device (1) comprising a carrier (2) and a first holding arm (4) and a second holding arm (6), the first holding arm (4) and the second holding arm (6) being arranged on the carrier (2) and being configured to hold the container (105), wherein: The first holding arm (4) and the second holding arm (6) are arranged on the carrier (2) such that the first holding arm (4) and the second holding arm (6) are movable between an open position for receiving and releasing the container (105) and a closed position for holding the container (105), It is characterized in that For movement between the closed position and the open position, the first holding arm (4) and the second holding arm (6) can each be pivoted about a pivot axis (10) and rotated about a rotation axis (12) oriented transversely to the pivot axis (10).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The device (1) is configured such that: during the movement of the holding arm (4, 6) from the closed position to the open position, the holding arm (4, 6) performs a rotational movement only around the rotation axis (12) of the holding arm (4, 6) in a first movement section, and in another movement section after the first movement section, the holding arm (4, 6) performs a pivotal movement around the pivot axis (10) of the holding arm (4, 6), or performs a pivotal movement around the pivot axis (10) of the holding arm (4, 6) and another rotational movement around the rotation axis (12) of the holding arm (4, 6).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The device (1) is constructed so that: during the movement of the holding arm (4, 6) from the closed position to the open position, the holding arm (4, 6) only performs a pivotal movement around the pivot axis (10) of the holding arm (4, 6) in a first movement section, and in another movement section after the first movement section, the holding arm (4, 6) performs a rotational movement around the rotation axis (12) of the holding arm (4, 6), or performs a rotational movement around the rotation axis (12) of the holding arm (4, 6) and another pivotal movement around the pivot axis (10) of the holding arm (4, 6).

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (1) comprises an actuator unit (16) for predetermining the position of the holding arm (4, 6), wherein the actuator unit (16) comprises a first actuator component (26) and a second actuator component (28), wherein the first actuator component (26) is used to control the pivoting movement of the holding arm (4, 6) around the respective pivot axis (10) of the holding arm (4, 6), and the second actuator component (28) is used to control the rotational movement of the holding arm (4, 6) around the respective rotation axis (12) of the holding arm (4, 6), wherein the first actuator component (26) can preferably be controlled separately from the second actuator component (28).

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (1) comprises a transmission assembly (24) which is arranged on and / or in the carrier (2) for moving the retaining arms (4, 6) and / or the retaining arms (4, 6) are each connected to a transmission rod (34) for common rotation, the transmission rod (34) being pivotable about its respective pivot axis (12), wherein the transmission rods (4) preferably each have at least one radial lever arm (35).

6. Device (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that The first actuator part (26) is connected to the transmission rod (34) via a first connecting rod (30) in each case, by means of a radial rod arm (35) which is connected to the retaining arm (4, 6) for common rotation in each case, and / or is connected in a rotatable manner and / or via a swivel joint and / or via a ball joint (37), and / or the second actuator part (28) is connected to the transmission rod (34) of the two retaining arms (4, 6) via a second connecting rod (32) in each case, preferably connected in a rotatable manner and / or via a swivel joint in each case and / or via a ball joint (38) in each case.

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that The first actuator component (26) has a plate-shaped body (50), which includes at least one guide track (52) for predetermining the angular position of at least one retaining arm (4, 6) relative to the pivot axis (10) assigned to the at least one retaining arm (4, 6), and / or the second actuator component (28) has a plate-shaped body (58), which includes at least one guide track (60) for predetermining the angular position of at least one retaining arm (4, 6) relative to the rotation axis (12) assigned to the at least one retaining arm (4, 6).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that The transmission rod (34) is guided in translation at a distance from the connection between the transmission rod (34) and the retaining arm (4, 6), preferably in translation in a translation plane, the translation plane preferably being oriented parallel to the retaining plane (8), wherein the transmission rod (34) each preferably comprises a slide (41) which is guided in a guide element (40), preferably a guide groove, arranged on the carrier (2).

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that Each retaining arm (4, 6) is attached to a first side of a spherical element (39) of a spherical joint (36), and the transmission rod (34) is attached to the spherical element (39) on a second side of the spherical element (39) opposite to the side where the retaining arms (4, 6) are located.

10. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The device (1), preferably the actuator unit (16), comprises at least one spring element for preloading the retaining arm (4, 6) into a predetermined position, preferably into the closed position or into the open position, and / or the actuator unit comprises at least one spring element for preloading the first actuator part (26) and / or the second actuator part (28) into a predetermined position.

11. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The actuator unit (16) has a design that can be controlled pneumatically and / or hydraulically and / or electrically, and / or the actuator unit (16) includes a control element for interacting with a track-type cam control system and / or a grooved guide and / or a protruding cam control system.

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The retaining arms (4, 6) are configured such that in the closed position, the container (105) is supported on the lower side of the retaining ring (109) of the container by a collar-shaped supporting protrusion area (70), and / or in the closed position, the container is radially clamped by a clamping area of ​​the retaining arms (4, 6) oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the container.

13. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A supporting section (42) is arranged on the carrier (2), and the supporting section (42) is used to support the container (105) on the retaining ring (109) of the container or on the anti-tampering band (106) of the container closure (108) applied to the container (105) when the retaining arm (4, 6) has been moved to the open position, wherein the supporting section (42) is preferably arranged at a predetermined distance below the retaining plane (8) predetermined by the retaining arm when in the closed position, wherein the distance is preferably configured so that in the closed position of the retaining arm (4, 6), the applied container closure (108) is at a certain distance from the supporting section (42), preferably 0.1 mm to 2 mm, preferably 0.3 mm to 1 mm.

14. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The retaining arms (4, 6) each include an annular supporting protrusion area (70) for supporting the container (105) on the retaining ring (109) of the container, wherein the supporting protrusion area (70) of the retaining arms (4, 6) preferably defines the retaining plane (8) in the closed position, wherein, in the open position, the supporting protrusion area (70) is preferably located radially outside the position of the supporting protrusion area (70) in the closed position in the direction of the viewing angle of a reference axis oriented perpendicular to the retaining plane (8) and is arranged centrally between the supporting protrusion areas (70) in the closed position, and in the open position, when viewed in the direction of the reference axis, the supporting protrusion area (70) is at a lower height than the supporting protrusion area (70) in the closed position.

15. The device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that In the closed position, the retaining arms (4, 6) define a retaining plane (8), and the rotation axis (12) is arranged perpendicular to the retaining plane (8).

16. A closure device (100) for closing a filled container (105) with a container closure (108), preferably a bottle without a support ring with a screw closure or a push closure, the closure device (100) comprising a closure member (103) for applying the container closure (108) to the filled container (105) and a device (1) for holding a container (105) according to any of the preceding claims.

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