Device for applying a container cover to a container and capsuling

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can closure to a can, for example in a beverage filling device, comprising: an application unit (10) having a closure receptacle (11) for receiving a container closure; and an ejection unit (20), which can be moved relative to the application unit (10), for ejecting the container closure accommodated in the closure receptacle (11), wherein an ejection part (21), for example in the form of an ejection cover, for ejecting the container closure into physical contact with the container closure is arranged on the ejection unit (20) on the side thereof facing the closure receptacle (11), and wherein the ejection part (21) is detachably mounted on the ejection unit (20) via a quick coupling mechanism (30); the invention also relates to a capping machine (100) comprising said device (1).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for applying a container closure to a container, such as a can lid to a can, for example in a beverage filling device, and a capping machine including such a device for closing a container with a container closure, such as for closing a can with a can lid. Background Art

[0002] In a filling device for filling a filling product into a container and subsequently closing the container with a container closure, a capping machine is used for closing the container with a container closure, such as for closing a can with a can lid. The capping machine includes a transport unit having a plurality of container holding devices, in which each container holding device is configured to receive the container to be closed. Each container holding device is associated with a device for applying a container closure to the container. The device receives the container closure and applies it to the container to be closed. The device for applying a container closure to a container is also referred to as a "capping head".

[0003] The capping machine can be configured in a rotary configuration. Then, the transport unit has the form of a turntable rotatable about a central axis of rotation, and the devices or equivalently the capping heads are arranged evenly distributed in its circumference. Alternatively, the transport unit can also be at least partially configured for linearly transporting the containers accommodated in the container receptacles.

[0004] During operation, it can occur that the container closure is not applied to the container to be closed as specified and remains in the capping receptacle of the device. In order to prevent the capping receptacle from being blocked by the retained container closure at the takeover position where the capping receptacle should take over a new closure and disturbing the proper process of the capping machine, the device can have an ejector rod that ejects the container closure retained in the capping receptacle from the capping receptacle.

[0005] Such an ejector rod can include an ejector member, for example in the form of an ejector hood when processing cans, the shape of which is matched to the shape of the container closure to be processed and physically contacts the container closure when ejecting it. It is known to fasten the ejector member to the ejector unit with a nut. Before fastening the ejector member, after being installed at the transport unit, the ejector rod is placed at the same height position by screwing. Subsequently, the ejector member is fastened to the ejector rod.

[0006] If a new type of container or cans and / or new can lids with a changed thickness are to be processed in the filling device, machine settings need to be changed, in particular the settings of the capping machine. For this purpose, each device of the capping machine must be individually reset and the ejector member must be replaced with a high time consumption.

[0007] Correspondingly, when replacing equipment or adjusting specifications, it results in high costs and long downtime during installation. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Based on the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, in a beverage filling device, and a corresponding capping machine.

[0009] The object is achieved by a device according to the present invention for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, in a beverage filling device. Advantageous improvements result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0010] Correspondingly, a device is proposed for applying a container closure to a container, for example for applying a can lid to a can, in a beverage filling device. The device includes: an application unit having a closure receiving portion for receiving a container closure; and an ejection unit movable relative to the application unit for ejecting the container closure received in the closure receiving portion, wherein an ejection member for physically contacting the container closure for ejecting the container closure is provided at the side of the ejection unit facing the closure receiving portion, for example in the form of an ejection hood.

[0011] The application unit can also be referred to as a "hemming head" because the lid can be applied to the can by hemming and curling the metal of the lid with the metal of the can body.

[0012] The ejection member is detachably arranged at the ejection unit via a quick coupling mechanism. Thereby, it is possible to detach the ejection member from the ejection unit or arrange it at the application unit in a relatively short time, i.e., compared to the prior art, and without using tools. Correspondingly, the ejection member for closing can be replaced in a relatively short time. Similarly, the device can be converted from processing one type of container closure to another type of container closure in a relatively short time and in a simple manner.

[0013] The thus caused relatively fast and simple disassembly and installation of the ejection member also allows the hemming head or the closure receiving portion to be replaced without significant time and technical costs, and the ejection member does not interfere or completely prevent the replacement. Since the ejection member can be quickly removed via the quick coupling mechanism, the replacement of the closure receiving portion can be carried out without long time delays, and the ejection member at the device does not interfere with the conversion.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the quick coupling mechanism can include a coupling member fastened to the ejection unit, and the ejection member is detachably coupled to the coupling member. Thereby, the quick coupling mechanism can be provided at the ejection unit in a simple manner.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the position of the coupling part relative to the ejection unit can be settable. Thus, the height position of the ejection part can be precisely set without additional length matching of the ejection unit, such as the screwing out of the ejector rod of the ejection unit. Thus, the machining of the ejection unit can be dispensed with.

[0016] The position of the coupling part relative to the ejection unit can be set, for example, by positioning a preset number of spacer parts, such as washers, between the coupling part and the ejection unit.

[0017] The spacer parts have a preset thickness. The thickness of the spacer parts used can be changed. For example, spacer parts of different thicknesses can be provided and the spacer parts can be jointly selected such that the preset height position of the ejection part is as close as possible to or corresponds to the theoretically calculated height position.

[0018] The ejection unit and the coupling part can have correspondingly configured stop surfaces that are oriented transversely to the mounting direction along which the coupling part is mounted, for example plugged and / or screwed onto the ejection unit. A preset number of spacer parts can be arranged between the stop surfaces.

[0019] In this context, "preset number" is understood as an amount from zero to multiple. For example, the preset number can be zero, i.e., no spacer parts, one spacer part, two spacer parts, etc.

[0020] "Height position" in this context corresponds to the position of the ejection part with respect to the movement direction of the application unit and / or with respect to the normal to the transport direction of the transport unit relative to the capping machine including the device, where the device has the ejection part in the state where the device is properly placed at the transport unit.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the ejection part can include a coupling groove for receiving at least one locking body, such as a locking ball. The fastening of the ejection part on the ejection unit can be provided via one or more locking bodies.

[0022] The coupling part can include a locking body receiving part for receiving at least one locking body, wherein an operating part that can move between a locking position and a release position relative to the coupling part can be provided at the coupling part, and wherein in the locking position, the operating part fixes at least one locking body in a locked state in which at least one locking body forms a form-fit between the ejection part and the coupling part, and wherein in the release position, at least one locking body can be disengaged from the ejection part. Alternatively, the operating part can also be movably arranged relative to the ejection part at the ejection part.

[0023] Optionally, the operating part can be pre-tensioned into the locking position.

[0024] "Accommodated" is understood herein to mean that a body, such as a locking body, is at least partially surrounded by a receiving part, and the body is "accommodated" in the receiving part. In other words, the "accommodated body" is physically at least partially within the volume of the receiving part of the "accommodating" body with respect to its total volume.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the ejection unit can include at least one locking body receiving part for accommodating at least one locking body. In other words, the coupling member is thus not configured as an independent component, but is formed by a component of the application unit or by the application unit. Correspondingly, an operating member that can move between a locking position and a release position relative to the application unit can also be directly provided at the ejection unit. In the locking position, the operating member can optionally fix at least one locking body in a locked state, in which at least one locking body forms a form-fit between the ejection unit and the ejection member. In addition, at least one locking body can be disengaged from the ejection member in the release position. Optionally, the operating member is pre-tensioned into the locking position. Thus, a part of at least one locking body receiving part of the ejection unit is the coupling member.

[0026] The above object is also achieved by a capping machine according to the present invention, for example, in a beverage filling device for closing a container with a container cap, such as for closing a can with a can lid. Advantageous improvements can be derived from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0027] Correspondingly, there is provided a capping machine, for example, in a beverage filling device for closing a container with a container cap, such as for closing a can with a can lid, the capping machine including: a container holding device for holding an open and filled container, such as in the form of a can holding device for holding an open and filled can; and a device according to one of the above embodiments associated with the container holding device.

[0028] The advantages and effects described in terms of the device can also be achieved by the capping machine. Therefore, a repeated description thereof is omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the device can be provided at a transport unit that can move in the transport direction, and the capping machine further includes a fixed guide cam for presetting the position of the ejection unit relative to the container receiving part, wherein the guide cam is configured to be height-adjustable in the movement direction of the ejection unit.

[0030] By the height-adjustability of the guide cam, the height position of the ejection member of the device of the capping machine can be quickly, reproducibly and precisely matched to the type of container being processed and / or the container cap to be processed.

[0031] If the capping machine comprises a plurality of devices, the height positions of the ejection members of all devices can be synchronously and simultaneously matched to the type of container that has been processed and / or the capping of the container to be processed by virtue of the height adjustability of the guide cams. Correspondingly, fine adjustment of the height positions of all ejection members can be achieved simultaneously. Description of the Drawings

[0032] Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are explained in detail by the following description of the drawings. Shown herein are:

[0033] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view schematically showing a capping machine for closing a can with a can lid; and

[0034] Figure 2 A detailed cross-sectional view schematically showing a device for applying a can lid to a can, as assembled in a plurality of capping machines according to Figure 1 thereof. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0035] Advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Herein, in the different figures, identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with the same reference numerals, and the repeated description of said elements is partly dispensed with in order to avoid redundancy.

[0036] In Figure 1 is schematically shown a cross-sectional view of a capping machine 100 for closing a container with a container lid, currently and without limitation configured for closing a beverage-filled can with a can lid. The capping machine 100 is provided as part of a beverage filling device.

[0037] The capping machine 100 includes a support 110 and a transport unit 120 rotatable about the support 110 about a central axis of rotation 101. The capping machine 100 is thus configured in a rotary structure and the transport unit 120 is configured as a transport turntable. The capping machine 100 can alternatively also have other structural forms.

[0038] The transport unit 110 includes a plurality of devices 1 for applying a container lid to a container, here for applying a can lid to a can, uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction about the central axis of rotation 101.

[0039] Each device 1 includes an application unit 10 oriented relative to the transport unit 120 in the direction of a longitudinal axis 12 optionally oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 101 here, which application unit can also be referred to as a hemming head. The application unit 10 includes a lid receiving portion 11 for receiving a container lid, here a can lid. The lid receiving portion 11 can thus be referred to as a can lid receiving portion.

[0040] The application unit 10 acts together with a can holding device, which is an example of a container holding device and not shown here and is associated with the application unit 10, and optionally with a seaming unit (not shown) for closing the can by means of a can lid. The can holding device is arranged below the application unit 10 with respect to the longitudinal axis 12. In order to apply the can lid to an open can held in the can holding device, the application unit 10 and the can holding device move towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 relative to each other. Currently, this is achieved in such a way that the can holding device is configured to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12. Alternatively or additionally, the application unit 10 can also be configured to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12.

[0041] According to the exemplary embodiment, the application unit 10 and the can holding device can rotate about the longitudinal axis 12, so that an optional seaming unit arranged at the transport unit 120 can perform seaming of the edge of the can lid with the can opening of the can in order to connect the can lid to the can, more precisely to the can opening.

[0042] The device 1 further includes an ejection unit 20 that can move relative to the application unit 10 for ejecting the container lid accommodated in the capping accommodation part 11.

[0043] At the ejection unit 20, an ejection member 21 designed to eject the container lid in the capping accommodation part 11 is provided on the side facing the capping accommodation part 11. When ejecting the container lid, the ejection member 21 comes into physical contact with the container lid. According to the non - restrictive embodiment, the ejection member 21 has the shape of an ejection cover. The ejection member can alternatively also be configured as a central ejector, for example.

[0044] The capping machine 100 further includes a fixed guide cam 130 for presetting the position of the ejection unit 20 relative to the capping accommodation part 11. Currently and non - restrictively, the ejection unit 20 includes a guide roller 22 that rolls on the guide cam 130. The guide cam 130 is configured such that in a preset first rotation angle or rotation angle range with respect to the rotation axis 101, the ejection member 21 is positioned at a distance from the container lid held in a preset orientation in the capping accommodation part 11, or is positioned such that it serves as an upper stop for the container lid. In the first rotation angle or rotation angle range, the container lid can be applied to the container to be closed. The guide cam 130 is further configured such that in a further rotation angle or further rotation angle segment, the ejection member 21 moves downward so that it ejects the container lid remaining in the capping accommodation part 11 from the capping accommodation part 11.

[0045] The guide cam 130 is configured to be height - adjustable relative to the transport unit 120 in the movement direction of the ejection unit 20, here in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 or the central rotational axis 101. For this purpose, the guide cam 130 includes a height - adjustment device 131 via which the height position of the guide cam 130 relative to the support 110 is changeable.

[0046] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A sectional view of a partial area of the device 1 in. It can be seen therefrom that the ejection member 21 is detachably arranged at the ejection unit 20 via a quick - coupling mechanism 30.

[0047] The quick - coupling mechanism 30 includes a coupling member 31 fastened to the ejection unit 20, to which the ejection member 21 is detachably coupled. Alternatively, the ejection unit 20 itself can form the coupling member.

[0048] The position of the coupling member 31 relative to the ejection unit 20, more precisely relative to the ejection rod 24 of the ejection unit 20, is adjustable with respect to the longitudinal axis 12. According to the non - restrictive embodiment, the position of the coupling member 31 can be set by positioning a preset number of spacer members 40, which are formed as washers here for example, between the coupling member 31 and the ejection unit 20.

[0049] The ejection unit 20 and the coupling member 31 include correspondingly formed stop surfaces 23, 32 which are oriented transversely to the mounting direction, along which the coupling member 31 is mounted to the ejection unit 20. The mounting direction is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 here. A preset number of spacer members 40 are arranged between the above - mentioned stop surfaces 23, 32. Via the number of spacer members 40, the position of the coupling member 31 relative to the ejection unit 20, more precisely relative to the ejection rod 24 of the ejection unit 20, can be set. Thus, the position can be changed by changing the number of spacer members 40.

[0050] As already described in the general part, the preset number can include zero up to a plurality of spacer members 40. The number and thickness of the spacer members 40 are selected as required in order to position the coupling member 31 and thus the ejection member 21 coupled to the ejection unit 20 via the coupling member 31 at the height position designed for the ejection member 21. In Figure 2 Only one spacer member 40 is shown. However, this is only exemplary.

[0051] The ejection member 21 includes a coupling groove 34 for receiving a plurality of locking bodies 35 which are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis 12 and are received in the locking - body receiving portion 36 of the coupling member 31. The locking bodies are optionally formed as locking balls here.

[0052] At the coupling member 31, an operating member 37 is provided which is movable relative to the coupling member 31 between the locking position and the release position shown in Figure 2 . In the locking position, the operating member 37 fixes the locking body 35 in a locked state, in which each locking body 35 forms a form-fit between the ejecting member 21 and the coupling member 31. In the release position, the locking body 35 can be disengaged from the ejecting member 21, such that the ejecting member 21 can be removed from the coupling member 31 and possibly replaced by another ejecting member 21. For example, a quick and simple retrofit can thus be made to replace from using a first type of ejecting member to another type. Alternatively, the ejecting member 21 that performs the closing can be simply and quickly replaced.

[0053] The operating member 37 is pre-tensioned into the locking position by a pre-tensioning member 38 which is configured here as a pre-tensioning spring. By pressing the operating member 37 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 against the direction of the pre-tension provided by the pre-tensioning member 38, here upwards, i.e., in the direction of the ejecting unit 20, the diameter-reduced section of the operating member 37 reaches the height of the locking body 35, such that it can reach radially inwards to the locking body and the form-fit between the ejecting member 21 and the locking body 35 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 12 can be cancelled.

[0054] As long as available, all the individual features shown in the embodiments can be combined with each other and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0055] List of reference numerals

[0056] 1 Device

[0057] 10 Application unit

[0058] 11 Cover receiving part

[0059] 12 Longitudinal axis

[0060] 20 Ejecting unit

[0061] 21 Ejecting member

[0062] 22 Guide roller

[0063] 23 Stop surface

[0064] 24 Ejecting rod

[0065] 30 Coupling mechanism

[0066] 31 Coupling member

[0067] 32 Stop surface

[0068] 34 Coupling groove

[0069] 35 Locking body

[0070] 36 Locking body receiving part

[0071] 37 Operating part

[0072] 38 Preloading part

[0073] 40 Spacer part

[0074] 100 Capping machine

[0075] 101 Axis of rotation

[0076] 110 Bracket

[0077] 120 Transport unit

[0078] 130 Guide cam

[0079] 131 Height adjustment device

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for applying a container closure, such as a can end to a can, for example in a beverage filling installation, said apparatus comprising: An application unit (10), the application unit having a cap receiving portion (11) for receiving a container cap; and an ejection unit (20) movable relative to the application unit (10) for ejecting a container cap received in the cap receiving portion (11), wherein an ejection member (21) for ejecting the container cap and physically contacting the container cap is provided at the side of the ejection unit (20) facing the cap receiving portion (11), for example in the form of an ejection hood. It is characterized in that the ejection member (21) is detachably arranged at the ejection unit (20) via a quick coupling mechanism (30).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The quick coupling mechanism (30) includes a coupling member (31) fastened to the ejection unit (20), and the ejection member (21) is detachably coupled to the coupling member.

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The position of the coupling member (31) relative to the ejection unit (20) is adjustable, for example by positioning a preset number of spacer members (40), such as washers, between the coupling member (31) and the ejection unit (20).

4. The device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The ejection member (21) includes a coupling groove (34) for receiving at least one locking body (35), and the locking body is, for example, a locking ball.

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The coupling member (31) includes at least one locking body receiving portion (36) for receiving at least one locking body (35).

6. The device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, An operating member (37) is provided at the coupling member (31) and movable relative to the coupling member (31), or at the ejection member (21) and movable relative to the ejection member (21) between a locked position and a released position, wherein in the locked position, the operating member (37) fixes the at least one locking body (35) in a locked state, in which the at least one locking body (35) forms a form-fit between the ejection member (21) and the coupling member (31), and wherein in the released position, the at least one locking body (35) can be disengaged from the ejection member (21) or the coupling member (31), and wherein optionally the operating member (37) is pre-tensioned into the locked position.

7. A capping machine (100) for closing a container, for example a can, by means of a container closure, such as a can end, in a beverage filling installation, said capping machine comprising: A container holding device, such as a can holding device, for holding an unclosed and filled container, such as a can; and a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims associated with the container holding device.

8. The capping machine (100) according to the previous claim, characterized in that, The device (1) is provided at a transport unit (120) movable in a transport direction and the capping machine (100) further includes a fixed guide cam (130) for presetting the position of the ejection unit (20) relative to the cap receiving portion (21), wherein the guide cam (130) is configured to be height-adjustable in the movement direction of the ejection unit (20).

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