Closure device for closing container with container closure and method for monitoring closure device

Abstract

The invention relates to a closing device (1) for closing containers with container closures (110), for example for closing containers with screw closures in beverage filling systems, comprising a gripping device (2) and an operating unit (6) for operating the gripping device (2), the invention relates to a gripping device (2) for gripping container closures (110) with at least one gripping arm (3) which can be pivoted about a bearing device (4), and a detection unit (10) for detecting the travel of a lifting element (7) of an operating unit (6) which acts on the gripping device (2). The invention further relates to a corresponding method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a closure device for closing containers with container closures, for example for closing containers with push closures or screw closures in beverage filling plants, and to a method for monitoring a closure device for closing containers with container closures, for example for closing containers with push closures or screw closures in beverage filling plants. Background Art

[0002] Closing devices for closing containers with container closures are known from the prior art. In this case, for example, container closures conveyed via a pick-up wheel are gripped by the pick-up wheel by means of gripper jaws of a gripping mechanism and then held at the closing device by means of the gripping mechanism. The closing head of the closing device holding the container closure is then positioned above the container to be closed and lowered onto the container in order to close the container with the container closure. If a screw closure is to be applied to the container, the closing head undergoes a rotational movement in addition to the lowering movement. By a combination of lowering and rotation, the screw closure can be screwed onto the container.

[0003] Furthermore, the prior art proposes systems which allow replacement of closure-related components of the closure device, such as components of the gripping mechanism, in order to allow the application of container closures of different geometries with the same closure head. The replacement of these components is complex.

[0004] EP 0 876 991 B1 shows a device for screwing a cap onto a container neck, which device has a gripping mechanism that can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and is provided with clamping jaws for clamping the cap. The screwing and rolling head for attaching a cap with a thread, known from EP 1 908 725 B1, shows a similar structure.

[0005] US 5 851 042 A shows a clamping bushing for gripping container lids, which can be quickly replaced by means of a fastening pin at a closure gripping system. To clamp the container lid, a section of the clamping bushing is bent inwards by means of a pressure cylinder so that the container lid can be gripped.

[0006] The gripping mechanism of the closure device can be operated by the operating unit. For example, the gripping mechanism can be preloaded in a specific position and moved to another position, such as an open position, by the operating unit.

[0007] The gripping mechanism, more precisely its mechanics and / or pneumatics or hydraulics, is subject to wear, for example due to wear caused by relative movements or when gripping and holding container closures. Due to wear, the mechanically preset switching times of the gripping mechanism change over time, so that the times for gripping and releasing the container closures can deviate from the preset times when viewed in the closure device, and the switching times can increasingly deviate from one another when viewed in a plurality of closure devices of the container closure device.

[0008] Furthermore, when setting up a container closure system with multiple closures, the gripping mechanism is parameterized identically for all closures or closure heads and must be readjusted and reset when the type changes. Within the closure system of the container closure, different actual closing and opening times may also occur even with identically set actuation times, for example due to pneumatic lines of different lengths, line losses and / or tolerances or dimensional deviations in mechanical components. Summary of the invention

[0009] Starting from the known prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved closure device for closing containers with container closures, for example for closing containers with push-on closures or screw closures in beverage filling plants, and to provide a corresponding method.

[0010] The object is achieved by a closure device for closing containers with container closures having the features of an embodiment of the invention, the closure device being used, for example, for closing containers with push-on closures or screw closures in beverage filling plants. Advantageous developments emerge from the description and the drawings.

[0011] Correspondingly, a closing device for closing a container with a container closure is proposed, which is used, for example, to close a container with a push closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling facility, and comprises a gripping mechanism and an operating unit for operating the gripping mechanism, wherein the gripping mechanism is used to grip the container closure with at least one gripping arm that can be pivoted around a supporting device.

[0012] More precisely, the operating unit may be configured to operate at least one gripping arm of the gripping mechanism, for example for pivoting at least one gripping arm, in other words for controlling the pivot position of the at least one gripping arm.

[0013] According to the invention, the closing device further comprises a detection unit for detecting the travel of a lifting element of the operating unit acting on the gripping mechanism.

[0014] By means of the detection of the travel, various parameters can be determined, which in turn allow, for example, an inference to be drawn about the actual switching time of the gripping mechanism. This can also be used to achieve a higher system performance of the container closure device including the closure device. The detected travel can also be used to obtain information about the state monitoring of the closure device, in particular about components of the gripping mechanism.

[0015] By processing the measured travel, parameters of the closure device, such as the closing time and the opening time, can be automatically determined depending on the type of container closure currently being processed.

[0016] The detection of the travel also allows the currently existing wear of the closure device to be inferred, in particular if the currently determined travel, in particular the travel at the closing time and / or the opening time of the gripping mechanism, is compared with values ​​detected at the beginning, for example during or immediately after the setting. Accordingly, the determination of the wear limit is possible in order to plan or trigger the replacement of the worn parts of the closure device.

[0017] Furthermore, the stroke detection makes it possible to detect system faults in the programming, mechanics and / or pneumatics of the closure device and / or of the container closure device comprising the closure device.

[0018] The values ​​of the detected travel distance can also be used to determine further data for digitizing the closing process.

[0019] The closure device may optionally include an evaluation unit for determining at least one of the above parameters. Alternatively, the container closure device may also include such an evaluation unit. Also alternatively, a central facility control device of the container processing facility may be provided.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the detection unit may include at least one sensor, for example a contactless measuring sensor. The sensor may be, for example, a displacement sensor, for example in the form of a Hall sensor.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the operating unit can be designed as an operating cylinder. In this case, the lifting element can be a cylinder piston of the operating cylinder.

[0022] In order to easily detect the travel, a reference element can be provided on the lifting element, which element optionally extends perpendicularly to the lifting direction of the lifting element. The reference element can be used as a reference for the sensor used. For example, a displacement sensor or a distance sensor can measure the distance between it and the reference element, wherein the travel is based on the measured distance or the distance change or corresponds to it.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the closing device may further comprise a control unit configured to determine at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism based on the at least one signal of the detection unit.

[0024] The state variables can indicate or correspond to the wear of the gripping means. In other words, the control unit is configured to draw inferences about the state of the gripping means and / or the existing wear via the determined state variables and to use these state variables again as a data basis, for example, in order to output warnings and / or control signals in response to the processing of the determined state variables.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to cause an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device based on at least one signal of the detection unit and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein optionally at least one operating parameter is a switching time point and / or a control point for controlling the lifting element.

[0026] Correspondingly, the proposed closure device can be individually adjustable. This is advantageous in particular when a plurality of gripping mechanisms or a plurality of closure devices are provided on the container closure device.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be configured to output a notification, such as a warning notification, a fault notification and / or an information notification, such as a status notification, based on the at least one signal of the detection unit and / or the at least one determined state variable.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the gripping mechanism may include a control element movable along the direction of travel of the lifting element, wherein the control element is coupled to the at least one gripping arm and is used to control the position of the at least one gripping arm.

[0029] Furthermore, the closing device can comprise a lifting unit for raising and lowering the gripping device in the displacement direction.

[0030] Optionally, the lifting unit may include a fixed part for fixing to the transport unit of the container handling system and a movable part movable in a displacement direction relative to the fixed part, wherein the movable part is connected to the gripping mechanism. The movable part may include an operating unit.

[0031] A particularly simple construction can be achieved if the displacement direction and the lifting direction of the lifting element are oriented parallely, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the moving part and the center axis of the lifting element can be concentric with one another.

[0032] The above-mentioned objects are also achieved by a method for monitoring a closure device for closing containers with container closures, for example for closing containers with push-on closures or screw closures in beverage filling plants, having the features according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Advantageous developments of the method are apparent from the description and the drawings.

[0033] Correspondingly, a method is proposed for monitoring a closure device for closing containers with container closures, for example for closing containers with push closures or screw closures in a beverage filling facility, the closure device comprising a gripping mechanism and an operating unit for operating the gripping mechanism, the gripping mechanism being used to grip the container closure with at least one gripping arm pivotable about a supporting device.

[0034] According to the method, the travel of a lifting element of an operating unit acting on a gripping mechanism is detected.

[0035] By means of the method, the advantages and effects described with respect to the closing device can be achieved in a similar manner. The same advantages and effects will not be described again in order to avoid redundancy.

[0036] According to a development of the method, at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism can be determined based on the detected travel.

[0037] According to a development of the method, the state variable can indicate or correspond to the wear of the gripping means.

[0038] According to a development of the method, at least one operating parameter of the closing device can be adjusted based on the determined path and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein optionally at least one operating parameter is an actuation point and / or a switching time for actuating a lifting element.

[0039] According to a development of the method, a notification, for example a warning notification, a fault notification and / or an information notification, for example a status notification, can be output based on the determined travel distance and / or at least one determined state variable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Advantageous further embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail by the following description of the drawings. Here, it is shown:

[0041] Figure 1 Schematically shows a perspective side view of a container closing device for closing containers with a container closure each;

[0042] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A perspective side view of a closure device for a container closure device in FIG.

[0043] Figure 3 showing a cross-sectional view through a lower portion of a closure device;

[0044] Figure 4 A perspective detail view of a closure device is schematically shown;

[0045] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 4Another view of the detail in; and

[0046] Figure 6 Schematically showing the monitoring method according to Figures 1 to 5 Flow chart of a method of closing a device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. Identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with the same reference numerals in different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted in order to avoid redundancy.

[0048] exist Figure 1 Schematically shown in a perspective side view is a container closure device 100 designed in the manner of a carousel for closing containers with a respective container closure.

[0049] The container closing device 100 comprises a support 101 on which a processing carousel 102 is arranged rotatably about an axis of rotation 103 .

[0050] The processing carousel 102 comprises a plurality of closing devices 1 for closing containers with container closures, which are arranged at a uniform spacing from one another on the circumference of the processing carousel 102 .

[0051] The container closure device 100 comprises a sealing section 104 which serves as a partition between a treatment chamber designed as a clean room below the sealing section 104 and a ash chamber above the sealing section 104 .

[0052] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional side view of the closing device 1 of the container closing device 100 in FIG. Figure 3 A section through the lower part 17 of the closing device 1 is shown.

[0053] The closure device 1 is designed and arranged for closing containers with container closures 110, here for closing containers with screw closures 110 in beverage filling plants. The closure device comprises a gripping mechanism 2 for gripping container closures 110 with three gripping arms 3, each of which can be pivoted about a support device 4.

[0054] The closing device further comprises an operating unit 6 for operating the gripping mechanism 2 .

[0055] More precisely, the operating unit 6 is constructed and configured to operate the gripping arm 3 of the gripping mechanism 2. The operating unit 6 controls the pivoting of the gripping arm 3.

[0056] The closing device 1 further comprises a detection unit 10 for detecting the action of the operating unit 6 on the lifting element 7 on the gripping mechanism 2 (see Figure 3 ), as described below for Figure 4 and 5 As elaborated in detail.

[0057] The gripping mechanism 2 further comprises a control element 8 or a coupling element which is movable in the direction of travel of the lifting element 7 and is coupled to the gripping arm 3 by means of the control element for controlling the position of the gripping arm 3 .

[0058] The gripping arms 3 are each mounted so as to be pivotable about a support device 4. The gripping arms are coupled to the lifting element 7 via a control element 8, more precisely so that the lowering of the lifting element 7, i.e. the movement of the lifting element 7 in the direction of the space between the gripping arms 3, which is designed to accommodate container closures 110, is controlled by a control element 8. Figure 3 As indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. , the gripping mechanism 2 is opened, i.e. the gripping arms 3 are pivoted into the open position. The lifting of the lifting element 7, i.e. the movement of the lifting element 7 away from the space between the gripping arms 3 designed to accommodate the container closures 110, is caused, for example, by Figure 3 As indicated by the dashed arrow in , the gripping mechanism 2 is thus closed.

[0059] The actuating unit 6 is designed here as an actuating cylinder and the lifting element 7 is a cylinder piston.

[0060] The closing device 1 comprises a lifting unit 12, which is used to raise and lower the gripping mechanism 2 in a moving direction 13. The lifting unit 12 comprises a fixed part 14 for fixing to a processing turntable 102 as a transport unit. It also comprises a moving part 15 that is movable in the moving direction 13 relative to the fixed part 14. The moving part 15 is connected to the gripping mechanism 2 or comprises the gripping mechanism and also comprises an operating unit 6. The position of the moving part 15 relative to the fixed part 14 is arranged at the support 101 via a guide device 106, which is designed as a slide guide device here, and the guide rollers 21 arranged at the moving part 15 are guided at the support.

[0061] According to the embodiment, the lifting direction 13 (see Figure 2 ) corresponds to the lifting direction 16 of the lifting element 7. The lifting direction 16 and the displacement direction 13 are thus oriented in parallel. Currently, the displacement direction 13, which is here the central longitudinal axis of the moving part 15, and the lifting direction 16, which is here the central axis of the lifting element 7, are still concentric with each other.

[0062] The container closures 110 are held radially by the gripping arms 3. On the end side, the container closures are supported on the stop 5, via which the head pressure required for applying the container closures 110 to the container can also be applied.

[0063] As already mentioned above, the closure device 1 is designed to apply a screw closure. Accordingly, the lower part 17 of the moving part 15 is rotatable about the displacement direction 13. The rotational movement is via a motor 18, in which an electric motor is provided, which is coupled to the rotatable part 17 of the moving part 15 via a transmission 19.

[0064] In the case of an embodiment for applying a push-on closure, the rotation function is disabled or prevented.

[0065] The movement of the lifting element 7 and thus of the gripping arm 3 is controlled via the pneumatic interface 20 .

[0066] Figure 4 A perspective detail view of the closure device 1 is schematically shown. Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 4 Another view of the detail in.

[0067] The detection unit 10 already mentioned above comprises a contactless measuring sensor 30 which is optionally designed as a displacement sensor and which, according to this alternative embodiment, is in the form of a Hall sensor.

[0068] The sensor 30 is configured to detect a distance or spacing 32 of the sensor 30 from a reference element 31 .

[0069] The sensor 30 is arranged at the moving part 15, in which the lifting element 7 is movable relative to the moving part 15 (see Figure 3 ).

[0070] The reference element 31 is arranged on the lifting element 7 so as to be oriented perpendicularly to the lifting direction 16 of the lifting element 7 .

[0071] The closure device 1 also includes Figure 4 A control unit 33 is schematically indicated in FIG. 1 , which is configured to determine at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism 2 based on at least one signal of the detection unit 10 .

[0072] In this case, the state variable indicates the wear of the gripping mechanism 2 .

[0073] The control unit 33 is configured to cause an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closure device 1 based on at least one signal of the detection unit 10 and / or at least one determined state variable.

[0074] The operating parameters may be actuation points and / or switching times for actuating the lifting elements.

[0075] The control unit 33 is further configured to output various notifications, here warning notifications, fault notifications and / or information notifications, such as status notifications, based on at least one signal of the detection unit 10 and / or at least one determined state variable.

[0076] Alternatively, the control unit 33 or its functions may also be at least partially integrated into the central control device 105 of the container treatment plant 100 .

[0077] from Figure 6 Detailed Description of the Invention A method for monitoring a closure device 1 for closing containers with container closures according to the preceding figures is shown in FIG.

[0078] The method comprises, in step S10 , detecting the travel of the lifting element 7 of the operating unit 6 acting on the gripping mechanism 2 .

[0079] In step S12 , at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism 2 is determined based on the detected travel.

[0080] The state variables indicate the wear of the gripping mechanism.

[0081] In step S14 , at least one operating parameter of the closing device is adjusted based on the determined path and / or the at least one determined state variable.

[0082] According to the present embodiment, the operating parameters are the actuation points and the switching times for actuating the lifting element 7 .

[0083] In step S16, it is checked whether a notification flag can be activated based on the determined travel distance and / or at least one determined state variable. Depending on the activated notification flag, a notification, such as a warning notification, a fault notification or an information notification, is output, here in the form of a state notification (S18).

[0084] As far as applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0085] Reference numerals list

[0086] 1. Close the device

[0087] 2 Grasping mechanism

[0088] 3 Grabbing arm

[0089] 4 Support device

[0090] 5 Stopper

[0091] 6 Operating unit

[0092] 7 Lifting elements

[0093] 8 Control section

[0094] 10 detection units

[0095] 12 lifting units

[0096] 13 Movement direction

[0097] 14Fixed part

[0098] 15 Sports Parts

[0099] 16 lifting direction

[0100] 17 Lower part, rotatable part

[0101] 18 Motor

[0102] 19 Transmission mechanism

[0103] 20 Pneumatic interface

[0104] 21 Guide rollers

[0105] 30 sensors

[0106] 31 Reference Components

[0107] 32 Pitch

[0108] 33Control Unit

[0109] 100 Container handling equipment

[0110] 101 Bracket

[0111] 102 Processing turntable

[0112] 103 Rotation axis

[0113] 104 Sealing section

[0114] 105 Guidance Department

[0115] 110 container closures

Claims

1. A closure device (1) for closing containers with container closures (110), the closure device preferably being used for closing containers with screw closures in beverage filling plants, the closure device comprising a gripping mechanism (2) for gripping the container closure (110) with at least one gripping arm (3) pivotable about a support device (4), and an operating unit (6) for operating the gripping mechanism (2), It is characterized in that A detection unit (10) is provided, which is used to detect the stroke of the lifting element (7) of the operating unit (6) acting on the gripping mechanism (2).

2. The closure device (1) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The detection unit (10) comprises at least one sensor (30) which preferably measures contactlessly, preferably a displacement sensor, particularly preferably a Hall sensor.

3. Closure device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The actuating unit (6) is designed as an actuating cylinder and the lifting element (7) is a cylinder piston.

4. Closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A reference element (31) is arranged on the lifting element (7) and preferably extends perpendicularly to the lifting direction (16) of the lifting element (7).

5. Closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The closure device (1) further comprises a control unit (33) configured to determine at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism (2) based on at least one signal of the detection unit (10).

6. Closure device (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that The state variable indicates the wear of the gripping mechanism (2) or corresponds to the wear of the gripping mechanism (2).

7. Closure device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, It is characterized in that The control unit (33) is configured to cause adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device (1) based on at least one signal of the detection unit (10) and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein preferably at least one operating parameter is a control point and / or a switching time point for controlling the lifting element (7).

8. Closure device (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, It is characterized in that The control unit (33) is configured to output a notification, preferably a warning notification, a fault notification and / or an information notification, such as a status notification, based on at least one signal of the detection unit (10) and / or at least one determined state variable.

9. Closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The gripping mechanism (2) comprises a control element (8) movable along the stroke direction of the lifting element (7), and the control element is coupled to the at least one gripping arm (3) for controlling the position of the at least one gripping arm (3).

10. Closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The closure device (1) comprises a lifting unit (12) for raising and lowering the gripping device (2) along a movement direction (13), wherein the lifting unit (12) preferably comprises a fixed part (14) for being fixed to a transport unit of a container processing device (100) and a movable part (15) movable relative to the fixed part (14) along the movement direction (13), wherein the movable part (15) is connected to the gripping device (2) or comprises the gripping device and preferably comprises the operating unit (6), wherein the movement direction (13) and the lifting direction (16) of the lifting element (7) are preferably oriented parallel, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the movable part (15) and the central axis of the lifting element (7) are preferably concentric with each other.

11. A method for monitoring a closure device (1) for closing containers with container closures (110), the closure device preferably being used for closing containers with push-on closures or screw closures in beverage filling plants, the closure device comprising a gripping mechanism (2) for gripping the container closures (110) with at least one gripping arm (3) pivotable about a support device (4), and an operating unit (6) for operating the gripping mechanism (2), It is characterized in that The method comprises: The stroke of the lifting element (7) of the operating unit (6) acting on the gripping mechanism (2) is detected.

12. The method according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that At least one state variable of the gripping mechanism (2) is determined based on the detected travel.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, It is characterized in that The state variable indicates the wear of the gripping mechanism (2) or corresponds to the wear of the gripping mechanism (2).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, It is characterized in that At least one operating parameter of the closing device (1) is adjusted based on the determined path and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein preferably at least one operating parameter is an actuation point and / or a switching time for actuating the lifting element (7).

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, It is characterized in that Based on the determined travel distance and / or at least one determined state variable, a notification is output, preferably a warning notification, a fault notification and / or an information notification, for example a status notification.

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