Device and method for applying a sealing element

Abstract

An apparatus (10) for applying a sealing element (100) to a container (200) comprises: a stationary feeding device (11) comprising a feeder (17) and a plurality N of feeding lines (18) in communication with the feeder (17) and arranged along a common advancing direction (X); and a mobile receiving device (12) comprising a receiving element (25) provided with a plurality (M) of seats (26) for the sealing elements (100) open towards the feed line (18).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for applying closure elements to containers, such as bottles, vials, syringe bodies or other similar containers, typically used in the pharmaceutical field and in other fields. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of pharmaceutical packaging it is known that containers pre-filled with liquid, solid or granular products need to be closed by applying closure or cap elements.

[0003] Document ITMI20040923A1 describes a typical device that solves this need, which comprises a feeding device comprising a vibrating cup into which a plurality of closure elements are introduced in bulk and a series of lines connected to the vibrating cup along which the closure elements are pushed towards a fixed receiving device arranged at the end of the lines.

[0004] The receiving device is provided with a number of seats greater than the number of lines, wherein each seat is able to contain one corresponding closure element at a time.

[0005] The feeding device is mounted on a base plate that can slide on a rail and is moved in translation by means of an actuator in order to alternately align the lines with a first group of seats and a second group of seats of the receiving device, which is instead mounted in a fixed position.

[0006] The device also comprises a pick-up device of the "pick and place" type, which cooperates with the receiving device and with an application device configured to apply the closure elements to the containers pushed on the dedicated lines.

[0007] The drawback of this device is that the overall dimensions and weight of the feeding device cause the dimensions of the actuator to be proportional to its movement, so that the actuator becomes bulky and complex.

[0008] This drawback is particularly evident also because the device is normally inserted inside an isolator having a housing, the space of which is often insufficient to allow the translational movement of the entire feeding device. Moreover, the movement of the feeding device causes turbulences in the laminar flow inside the isolator; therefore, the sterile environment in the pharmaceutical packaging process can be affected.

[0009] Another drawback of the device is that the actuator is subjected to the vibratory stresses generated by the vibrating cup, so that it is affected by frequent malfunctions and long maintenance operations, reducing the productivity of the device.

[0010] US patent document US 5,095,681 describes a device for mounting caps to containers of fluid products according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the cap feeding device is fixed and the cap receiving device is movable.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to perfect a device and a method for applying closure elements to containers, in particular but not exclusively bottles, vials, syringe bodies, etc., overcoming at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0012] To this end, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of limiting the number and overall size of the moving masses, thus solving the technical problem of limiting and reducing the cost of the actuators that make the alignment between the line and the seats of the receiving device possible. In particular, it is an object of the present application to provide a device for applying closure elements that is simple, versatile and reliable in structure.

[0013] It is another object of the present application to provide a device for applying closure elements in which the movement of alignment between the line and the seats of the receiving device does not involve the movement of the feeding device.

[0014] It is another object of the present application to provide a device for applying closure elements in which the fixed masses and the mobile masses, in particular the mobile masses, have a limited overall size, so that they can be housed without problems inside the insulator.

[0015] It is another object of the present application to perfect a method for applying closure elements that allows to put the line in communication with the seats of the receiving device in a particularly simple, quick and precise manner, and reduces the cost of managing the actuators that determine the alignment movement.

[0016] The Applicant has designed, tested and implemented the present application to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. SUMMARY

[0017] The present application is set forth and described in the independent claims. Dependent claims describe other characteristics or variants of the present application, which are considered to be part of the present inventive concept.

[0018] In order to achieve the above objects and to solve the above technical problems in a new and original way, while achieving considerable advantages compared to the prior art, there is provided a device according to the present application for applying closure elements to containers, such as bottles, vials, syringe bodies or other similar containers, which are generally but not exclusively used in the pharmaceutical field.

[0019] The device comprises a feeding device comprising a feeder and a plurality of adjacent feeding lines in communication with the feeder and arranged along a common advancement direction, and also a receiving device comprising receiving elements provided with a plurality of seats for closure elements, the seats being open towards the feeding lines.

[0020] For example, the number of seats can be greater than the number of feeding lines.

[0021] According to a variant, the number of seats can be less than the number of feeding lines.

[0022] According to another variant, the number of seats can be the same as the number of feed lines.

[0023] According to one aspect of the application, the feeding device is installed in a fixed position, the receiving element being movable with respect to the feed lines between a first position in which one or more than one first seat of the plurality of seats is aligned with one or more than one first feed line of the plurality of feed lines so as to receive a respective closure element in at least one or each first seat, and a second position in which one or more than one second seat of the plurality of seats is aligned with one or more than one second feed line of the plurality of feed lines so as to receive a respective closure element in at least one or each second seat.

[0024] This achieves at least the following advantages: the moving parts are lighter and smaller in size, i.e. the feeder and the feed lines as a whole, compared to the moving parts in the prior art. In fact, since the device is generally inserted into an isolator with limited space available, there is not always space available to move the feed lines and the hopper.

[0025] Another advantage of the application is to make available a multifunctional device capable of feeding first and second groups of closure elements, possibly even different from each other in type, size and shape, into first and second seats, respectively, with each group being fed by a respective first and second feed line.

[0026] According to another aspect of the application, the receiving device comprises manoeuvring means associated with the receiving element to translate the receiving element along an alignment direction transverse to the advancement direction, at least between the first position and the second position.

[0027] According to another aspect of the application, the manoeuvring means can comprise a linear guide extending parallel to the alignment direction, a carriage slidably associated with said guide and fixed to the receiving element so as to move the guide at least between the first position and the second position, and a drive member.

[0028] According to another aspect of the application, the drive member is an electric motor or an electric actuator sized to determine only the translation of the receiving element.

[0029] According to another aspect of the application, the first seats and the second seats are arranged on the same single line at a seat spacing equal to or a multiple of the feed line spacing between the feed lines.

[0030] According to a variant, the first seats can be arranged along a first line and the second seats can be arranged along a second line adjacent and parallel to the first line, the first seats and the second seats being interleaved with each other.

[0031] According to another aspect of the application, the feeding device comprises a plurality of orientation elements arranged between the feeder and the feeding lines, with an accumulation zone for the oriented closure elements between the orientation elements and the feeding lines.

[0032] According to another aspect of the application, the device further comprises a pushing member arranged below the receiving element, the pushing member being configured to be vertically movable to lift the closure element from the seat of the receiving element.

[0033] According to another aspect of the application, the device further comprises a transfer device configured to pick up the closure elements from the receiving device and an application device configured to push the closure elements picked up by the transfer device into the respective containers.

[0034] Some embodiments of the application also relate to a method of applying closure elements to containers, the method comprising:

[0035] - a feeding step, in which a feeder supplies closure elements in bulk to a number of feeding lines in communication with the feeder and arranged in a direction of advancement; - a receiving step, in which a receiving element provided with a number of seats for closure elements receives the closure elements arriving from the feeding lines, the seats being open in the direction of the feeding lines.

[0036] According to one aspect of the application, the method comprises an alignment step, in which the receiving element is moved relative to the fixed feeding lines between a first position in which more than one first seat of the plurality of seats is aligned with more than one first feeding line of the plurality of feeding lines so as to subsequently receive in the receiving step a respective closure element in at least one or each first seat, and a second position in which more than one second seat of the plurality of seats is aligned with more than one second feeding line of the plurality of feeding lines so as to subsequently receive in the receiving step a respective closure element in at least one or each second seat.

[0037] According to another aspect of the application, the method further comprises a lifting step, in which a pushing member arranged below the receiving element is moved vertically to lift the closure element from the seat of the receiving element.

[0038] According to another aspect of the application, the method further comprises a transfer step in which a transfer device picks up the closure elements from the receiving device and an application step in which an application device applies the closure elements picked up by the transfer device to the respective containers.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present application, in the alignment step, the receiving element is translated along the alignment direction (transversal to the advancement direction) at least between a first position and a second position, and optionally to a pick-up position, in which the seat and the feed line are temporarily misaligned.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present application, the method can comprise a selective interruption step, in which one or more feed lines or seats are temporarily disabled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment, given as a non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a device for applying a closure element according to the present application; - Figure 1a is a schematic top view of a variant of the receiving element; - Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1 in which the transfer device is shown rotated to cooperate with the application device; - Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing the receiving element having a number of seats smaller than the number of feed lines.

[0042] We must clarify that the wording and terminology used in this description and the sole role of the figures in the drawings, related to how to describe, serve to better illustrate and explain the present application, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the present application itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0043] For the purposes of facilitating understanding, the same reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to identify common and identical elements in the drawings. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be readily combined with or substituted for elements and features of other embodiments without further description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , these figures show a device 10 according to the present application for applying a closure element or cap element (hereinafter referred to as cap 100) to containers 200, such as bottles, vials, syringe bodies or other similar containers, which are generally used, but not exclusively, in the pharmaceutical field.

[0045] The device 10 comprises a feed device 11 configured to feed the caps 100 to a receiving device 12 arranged downstream of the caps 100 in the advancement direction X.

[0046] The receiving device 12 is a distinct and separate component from the feeding device 11.

[0047] The apparatus 10 also comprises a transfer device 13 configured to cooperate with the receiving device 12, which picks up the caps 100 from the receiving device 12 and enables them to be acquired by an application device 14, which has the function of associating the caps 100 with the respective containers 200 by means of pressure, according to modes substantially known to the person skilled in the art.

[0048] The containers 200 are preferably advanced in groups, in succession or at constant intervals by a conveying device 15, which is arranged with respect to the application device 14 so as to enable the caps 100 to be applied to the containers 200.

[0049] The feeding device 11 is installed in a fixed position, for example on a support plane 16 of the apparatus 10, and comprises a feeder 17 into which the caps 100 are introduced in bulk, and a number, i.e. a plurality, N, of feeding lines 18 communicating with the feeder 17.

[0050] The feeder 17 (exemplified in the Figure 1 rectangular case) can be a circular vibrating feeder or a vibrating base (for example a vibrating cup with a cylindrical, conical or stepped tank), or a linear vibrating feeder or a vibrating base fitted with a linear feed channel. The person skilled in the art will understand that various types of feeders can be used, all of which are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0051] The feeder 17 can comprise a hopper or other similar system, or vice versa be fed by a hopper or other similar system.

[0052] According to a possible embodiment, the number N of feeding lines 18 can be, for example, from 1 to 10. However, a solution is not excluded in which the number of feeding lines 18 is also greater than 10. In Figure 1 the example shown, six feeding lines 18 are shown.

[0053] The feeding lines 18 extend on a substantially horizontal or slightly inclined advancement plane, so as to facilitate the advancement of the caps 100 in the advancement direction X towards the receiving device 12.

[0054] The feeding lines 18 are created on a plate 20 constituting part of the feeding device 11, defined by walls 19 arranged substantially side by side, spaced apart laterally from each other in the advancement direction X. The plate 20 can define the advancement plane as described above.

[0055] Advantageously, all the feeding lines 18 have the same width or lateral dimension, understood as the distance between two adjacent walls 19. This width or lateral dimension is selected on the basis of the size of the caps 100 to be processed.

[0056] The feed lines 18 can have different lengths from one another. For example, the first feed lines 18, which are the outermost, can have a longer length, the subsequent feed lines 18 can have a length that progressively decreases. According to other solutions, all the feed lines 18 have the same length.

[0057] The walls 19 that delimit the feed lines 18 can have a thickness that slightly increases starting from the inlet end 22A of the feed line 18 (direction facing the feeder 17) towards the outlet end 22B of the feed line 18 (direction facing the receiving device 12).

[0058] According to a possible embodiment, the feed lines 18 can advantageously be arranged parallel to one another, thus reducing the overall transverse dimensions. In this case, the walls 19 can have the same thickness.

[0059] The feed lines 18 are transversely spaced from one another with a feed line spacing PI (see figure 2) defined by the distance between the centres of the same feed lines 18 measured at, for example, the outlet end 22B. Figure 1 、 Figure 3 The feed line spacing PI between the feed lines 18 is preferably constant and uniform.

[0060] The feed line spacing PI between the feed lines 18 is preferably constant and uniform.

[0061] Between the feed lines 18 and the feeder 17 there can be a plurality of directional elements 21. The directional elements 21 have the function of orienting the caps 100 with the coupling portion facing upwards. By coupling portion it is meant the portion that, during use, comes into contact with the neck of the container 200 to which the cap 100 is applied.

[0062] The directional elements 21 can comprise, for example, a flat thrust portion 21A, a smooth wall 21B and / or a grooved wall 21C having a helical profile or other curvilinear geometry. The smooth wall 21B and the grooved wall 21C define a respective groove in the thrust direction X along which the caps 100 can be thrust as a result of the action of the vibrations and possibly also of the force of gravity.

[0063] According to a variant, the directional elements 21 can be integrated into the feeder 17. In this case, the caps 100 reach the feed lines 18 already correctly oriented.

[0064] Upstream of the feed lines 18 there can be an accumulation zone 24 from which the caps 100, previously oriented as a result of the action of the vibrations and possibly also of the force of gravity, enter the feed lines 18.

[0065] The accumulation zone 24 can be an area of the flat plate 20 upstream of the inlet end 22A of the feed lines 18. The accumulation zone 24 can be located between the feed lines 18 and the directional elements 21.

[0066] The feeder 17, feed line 18, and orientation element 21 (if any) are advantageously different and separate components arranged adjacent to each other in the order described above, so as to form a continuous path of the cap 100. These components may be associated with the support plane 16 or with an intermediate base fixed to the support plane 16.

[0067] Multiple vibration elements 23 are associated at the bottom with the feeder 17, the directional element 21 (if any), and the feed line 18 to determine the allowable movement of the cap 100 along... Figure 2 The vibration required for propulsion in the direction X.

[0068] Commands can be issued to the vibrating element 23 to determine different vibrations (frequency and amplitude) based on the component to which the vibration is applied and also based on the specific stage of the process.

[0069] The vibrating element 23 can be integrated with the component that applies the vibration, that is, become part of that component.

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the receiving device 12 includes a receiving element 25, which is provided with a certain number (i.e., multiple (M)) of seats 26 for the cap 100, the seats 26 being open along the direction of the feed line 18, wherein the receiving element 25 is movable relative to the feed line 18 at least between a first position and different second positions.

[0071] The receiving element 25 moves to a first position so that one or more of the plurality (M) seat portions 26A are aligned with one or more of the plurality (N) feed lines 18A so as to receive the corresponding sealing element 100 in at least one or each of the first seat portions 26A.

[0072] The receiving element 25 moves to a second position so that one or more of the multiple (M) seat portions 26B are aligned with one or more of the multiple (N) feed lines 18B so as to receive the corresponding sealing element 100 in at least one or each of the second seat portions 26B.

[0073] In the following description, seat 26 generally refers to both the first seat 26A and the second seat 26B.

[0074] Specifically, the receiving element 25 includes at least a first set of base portions and a second set of base portions, each set of base portions including at least one base portion 26, wherein the first set of base portions includes a first base portion 26A and the second set of base portions includes a second base portion 26B.

[0075] The first and second group of seats can be filled with corresponding first and second group caps 100, and the first and second group caps 100 each include at least one cap 100.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the number M of seats 26 is greater than the number N of feed lines 18, as shown in Figure 1 .

[0077] According to a variant, the number M of seats 26 can be less than the number N of feed lines 18, see Figure 3 . In this case, the seats 26 can be arranged, for example, with a seat pitch P2 different from the feed line pitch PI of the feed lines 18. In the example of Figure 3 , the seat pitch P2 is, for example, twice the feed line pitch PI of the feed lines 18.

[0078] According to another variant, the number M of seats 26 can be the same as the number N of feed lines 18.

[0079] The caps 100 accumulate on the receiving element 25 as they gradually advance along the feed lines 18, until they are housed in the empty seats 26.

[0080] For example, with reference to Figure 3 (the following also applies to configurations in which the number of seats 26 is equal to or greater than the number of feed lines 18), in at least one first position, the receiving element 25 is configured to receive a first group of caps 100 in respective first seats 26A of the plurality (M) of seats 26, aligned with respective first feed lines 18A of the plurality (N) of feed lines 18, for example Figure 3 . After the translation of the receiving element 25 to at least one second position, the receiving element 25 is configured to receive a different second group of caps 100 in respective second seats 26B of the plurality (M) of seats 26, aligned with further corresponding second feed lines 18B of the plurality (N) of feed lines 18, for example Figure 3 . The right side of . The different pitch between the seats 26 and the feed lines 18 makes the solid wall of the receiving element 25 and the filled seats 26 prevent any further advancement of the caps 100, while the still empty seats 26 are filled in the manner described above.

[0081] Figure 3 According to some embodiments, the first feed lines 18A can be different from the second feed lines 18b, as shown in the example of . However, this substantially depends on the travel of the receiving element 25. Therefore, the first feed lines 18A can coincide with some or all of the second feed lines 18b, and vice versa.

[0082] The receiving element 25 is substantially rectangular plate-shaped, the seats 26 being formed on the longer sides thereof, which are through in their thickness, except for being open along the direction of the feed lines 18 and facing the outlet ends 22b thereof.

[0083] The seats 26 are advantageously arranged on the same single line.

[0084] As Figure 1a shown, according to one possible embodiment, the seats 26 can be arranged on two parallel lines, with the seats 26 of a first line being staggered with respect to the seats 26 of an adjacent second line. In other words, first seats 26A can be arranged along a first line, and second seats 26B can be arranged along a second line adjacent and parallel to the first line, with the first seats 26A and the second seats 26B being staggered with respect to each other.

[0085] All the seats 26 advantageously have the same size. This size is selected on the basis of the gauge of the caps 100 to be processed.

[0086] The seats 26 are laterally spaced from each other by a seat pitch P2, defined as the distance between the centers of two adjacent seats 26.

[0087] The seat pitch P2 between the seats 26 is preferably constant and uniform. The seat pitch P2 between the seats 26 is preferably equal to the feed line pitch PI between the feed lines 18 or a multiple of the feed line pitch PI.

[0088] In other words, the seat pitch P2 between the seats 26 can be different from the feed line pitch PI between the feed lines 18, for example, see Figure 3 .

[0089] According to some embodiments, for example, the number M of seats 26 can be between 2 and 20. However, a solution is not excluded in which the number of seats 26 can also be greater than 20. In Figure 1 the example, ten seats 26 are shown arranged on the same single line.

[0090] The number M of seats 26 is preferably, but not necessarily, double the number N of feed lines.

[0091] The receiving elements 25 are arranged on the same laying plane as the feed lines 18, or at least on the same laying plane as their outlet ends 22B. In this way, the seats 26 can constitute a continuous portion of the feed lines 18 and receive the caps 100.

[0092] The laying plane of the receiving elements 25 is also the plane on which the receiving elements 25 move. This laying plane is a substantially horizontal plane.

[0093] Below the receiving elements 25, there can be push members 27 vertically aligned with the seats 26, configured to be vertically movable to lift the caps 100 from the seats 26 of the receiving elements 25, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0094] Advantageously, each seat 26 is provided with a push member 27, see Figure 1 Therefore, the number of push members 27 corresponds to the number of seats 26 of the receiving element 25.

[0095] Once the filling (or partial filling, i.e. filling only some seats 26, for example the first or second seats 26A, 26B) of the receiving element 25 is complete, the receiving element 25 can be moved to a pick-up position, so that the seats 26 are aligned above the push members 27, ready to cooperate with the transfer device 13.

[0096] In certain use conditions of the device 10, it can be required to perform a partial filling of the seats 26.

[0097] The partial filling can be obtained by performing an operation of selective interruption, by positioning in a mutually suitable manner the elements / components already present in the device 10, i.e. the feed line 18, the receiving element 25, the push members 27 and / or the transfer element 36.

[0098] According to a further embodiment, the device 10 can comprise static or dynamic selective blocking elements for selectively blocking one or more feed lines 18, one or more seats 26 and / or one or more recesses 37, as described below.

[0099] The pick-up position can correspond to the first position or to the second position, or it can also be different from these two positions. The pick-up position can be a position in which the feed line 18 and the seats 26 are not in communication, i.e. in which the seats 26 are not aligned with the feed line 18.

[0100] According to some embodiments, in the pick-up position, the receiving element 25 can be positioned so that all or some of the seats 26 face the respective walls 19 of the feed line 18. In this case, these walls 19 act as abutments, preventing the entry of further caps 100, facilitating the pick-up action of the transfer device 13.

[0101] The push members 27 are preferably all mounted on the same support 28, which can be moved at least in the vertical direction towards / away from the seats 26 by means of a handling mechanism 29 driven by an actuator 30.

[0102] According to a variant, the push members 27 can be configured to eject a gas, for example air, to lift the caps 100 and make them available to the transfer device 13.

[0103] According to the present application, the receiving device 12 comprises handling means 31 associated with the receiving element 25 to translate the receiving element 25 along an alignment direction Y transverse to the direction of advancement X of the caps 100.

[0104] The alignment direction Y is substantially orthogonal to the advancement direction X, both lying on a substantially horizontal plane.

[0105] The translation of the receiving elements 25 can correspond to a distance of a pitch P1, P2, or a multiple of the pitch P1, P2, so that in each position of the receiving elements 26 some seats 26 are aligned with some feed lines 18.

[0106] According to possible embodiments, the translation of the receiving elements 25 can be performed with a stroke different from the pitch P1, P2, or a multiple thereof. This condition can be used to define the pick-up position as described above.

[0107] The handling means 31 can advantageously be mounted in a fixed manner on the same support plane 16 as the feeding apparatus 11.

[0108] According to some embodiments, the handling means 31 comprise a linear guide 32 extending parallel to the alignment direction Y, a carriage 33 slidably associated with the guide 32 and fixed to the receiving elements 25, and a drive member 34 configured to determine the movement of the carriage 33 along the guide 32.

[0109] The drive member 34 can be any known type of component, for example an electric motor or an electric actuator.

[0110] According to further embodiments, the handling means 31 can comprise a linear guide and an electric actuator. The linear guide can be slidably housed inside a compartment ensuring sealing and protection. This compartment can for example comprise a scrap element or a bellows seal.

[0111] The skilled person will understand that the handling means 31 can also comprise different components, for example belts, pulleys, gears, planar motors, etc.

[0112] It is clear that the receiving apparatus 25 has an overall size much smaller than the feeding apparatus 11 as a whole, and more importantly, also much less weight. Therefore, the movement of the receiving elements 25 is easier to perform, which involves the use of a less expensive drive member 34, with lower power consumption and simpler maintenance, and makes the moving block have limited overall dimensions.

[0113] The receiving elements 25 cooperate with the transfer apparatus 13.

[0114] The transfer apparatus 13 can be or comprise a “pick and place” robot, which is able to pick up the caps 100 present in the seats 26 of the receiving elements 25 and transfer them towards (possibly turning them 180°) the application apparatus 14 located downstream.

[0115] The transfer device 13 can comprise a transfer element 36 provided with recesses or cells 37 for supporting the caps 100 picked up from the receiving element 25. The recesses 37 are arranged in a similar manner as the seats 26.

[0116] The recesses 37 advantageously have the same shape. Their size or shape is selected on the basis of the gauge of the caps 100 to be transferred.

[0117] The transfer device 13 advantageously picks up simultaneously the first and second groups of caps 100 and other groups of caps 100 contained in the seats 26 of the receiving device 25.

[0118] The number of recesses 37 can substantially correspond to the number M of seats 26 of the receiving element 25.

[0119] The recesses 37 are arranged with a constant and uniform recess pitch P3 between them. The recess pitch P3 between the recesses 37 corresponds to the seat pitch P2 between the seats 26.

[0120] The transfer element 36 is in the form of a rectangular plate, with the recesses 37 formed on its longer sides, through the thickness.

[0121] The recesses 37 can be configured to temporarily support the caps 100 substantially by friction or snap fit.

[0122] According to some embodiments, the transfer device 13 can comprise an articulated arm 38 configured to support the transfer element 36 at one end thereof.

[0123] The articulated arm 38 can be rotated about a substantially horizontal axis Z1 to invert the caps 100, with the lower side of the caps 100 facing downwards, so as to be subsequently applied.

[0124] At the end of the 180° rotation, the transfer element 36 cooperates with the application device 14.

[0125] According to possible embodiments, which can be combined with the above-described embodiments, the articulated arm 38 can be associated with a base 39 of the transfer device 13, which can be rotated about a substantially vertical axis Z2 so as to move the articulated arm 38 with the transfer element 36 at the application device 14.

[0126] By way of example only, reference is made to Figure 2 The application device 14 is of the type functional to apply the caps 100 to containers 200 fed in the form of so-called container "nests".

[0127] The application device 14 can comprise a centring plate 40 provided with holes 41 and a plurality of insertion elements 42, temporarily proximate to the centring plate, able to move vertically up and down through the holes 41 to insert the caps 100 in the containers 200 by pressure, moved in the lower part by the conveying device 15 and vertically aligned below the holes 41 at each operation.

[0128] The conveying device 15 can comprise, for example, a guide 43 with which at least one tray or nest 44 is associated. The containers 200 to be applied with the caps can be supported on the tray 44 in an ordered manner, arranged in rows according to a pattern, possibly staggered, in which the containers 200 are aligned below the holes 41 at each time.

[0129] When a row of containers 200 is aligned below the holes 41, the tray 44 is temporarily stopped, the caps 100 are inserted and then the tray 44 is moved forward or backward so as to make available a new row of containers 200. This procedure is repeated until all the containers 200 on the tray 44 have been closed.

[0130] When the containers 200 on the nest 44 have been applied with the caps, the nest 44 with the containers 200 to which the caps have been applied is picked up with the manipulator and a new nest 44 of containers 200 to be applied with the caps is prepared.

[0131] The person skilled in the art understands that the conveying device 15 is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above, but can comprise a linear or rotary conveyor belt, a humanoid robot or other similar conveying device.

[0132] According to other possible embodiments, the application device 14 can be functional to apply the caps 100 to a single row of containers 200 to be applied with the caps arranged in a single row. In this case, the transfer device 13 transfers the caps to the single row of containers 200 to be applied with the caps.

[0133] When the single row of containers 200 has been applied with the caps, the single row of containers 200 to which the caps have been applied is picked up with the manipulator and a new row of containers 200 to be applied with the caps is prepared.

[0134] The operation of the apparatus 10 described above corresponds to a method according to possible embodiments, comprising the following steps.

[0135] The feeding step is preferably continuous, in which the feeder 17 supplies the caps 100 in bulk to the feed line 18 in communication with the feeder 17 and arranged along the advancement direction X.

[0136] Before receiving the caps 100 in the feed line 18, the method can optionally comprise an orientation step, in which the caps 100 are oriented with their coupling portion upwards by means of suitable orientation elements 21 arranged before the feed line 18.

[0137] Subsequently, the method provides a receiving step, in which the receiving elements 25 receive, in the seats 26, the caps from the feed lines 18.

[0138] The receiving step follows the alignment step. In the alignment step, the receiving elements 25 are moved in translation with respect to the fixed feed lines 18 along the alignment direction Y, so as to align one or more seats 26 with one or more feed lines 18, in order to receive in at least one or each seat 26 a respective cap 100.

[0139] In the alignment step, the receiving elements 25 are moved to a first position, so as to align one or more first seats 26A of the plurality (M) of seats 26 with one or more first feed lines 18A of the plurality (N) of feed lines 18, in order to receive in at least one or each first seat 26A a respective closure element 100 during the receiving step.

[0140] In a subsequent alignment step, the receiving elements 25 are moved to a second position, so as to align one or more second seats 26B of the plurality (M) of seats 26 with one or more second feed lines 18B of the plurality (N) of feed lines 18, in order to receive in at least one or each second seat 26B a respective closure element 100 during the receiving step.

[0141] The method can also comprise a selective interruption step, in which one or more feed lines 18, one or more seats 26 or one or more recesses 37 are temporarily disabled, i.e. unable to receive a cap 100.

[0142] Once the receiving elements 25 are completely or partially filled with caps 100, a transfer step is provided, in which the caps 100 are picked up by means of the transfer device 13 and flipped over by 180° at the application device 14, by means of which the caps 100 are applied to the containers 200 advanced by the conveying device 15, in a substantially known manner, which therefore need not be described in detail.

[0143] It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the device 10 and the method for applying closure elements described above, without departing from the field and scope of the application as defined by the claims.

[0144] It is also clear that, although the present application has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall be able to achieve other equivalent forms of device and method for applying closure elements, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims, and hence all falling within the field of protection defined there.

[0145] In the following claims, the references in parentheses have the sole purpose of facilitating reading and should not be considered as limiting factors of the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for applying a sealing element (100) to a container (200), the apparatus comprising: - Feeding device (11), which includes a feeder (17) and a plurality (N) adjacent feed lines (18) connected to the feeder (17) and arranged along a common propulsion direction (X). - A receiving device (12) includes a receiving element (25) having a plurality (M) seats (26) open toward the feed line (18), each seat (26) being configured to receive one of the sealing elements (100). Thus, the feeding device (11) is installed in a fixed position, and the receiving element (25) is movable, characterized in that the receiving element (25) is movable relative to the feeding line (18) between a first position and a second position, in the first position, aligning one or more of the plurality (M) seats (26) with one or more of the plurality (N) feeding lines (18) with a first feeding line (18A) so as to receive a corresponding sealing element (100) in at least one or each of the first seats (26A), and in the second position, aligning one or more of the plurality (M) seats (26) with one or more of the plurality (N) feeding lines (18) with a second feeding line (18B) so as to receive a corresponding sealing element (100) in at least one or each of the second seats (26B).

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving device (12) includes a manipulator (31) associated with the receiving element (25) to translate the receiving element (25) along an alignment direction (Y) transverse to the propulsion direction (X) at least between the first position and the second position.

3. The device (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The manipulator (31) includes: a linear guide (32) extending parallel to the alignment direction (Y), a carriage (33) slidably associated with and fixed to the receiving element (25) of the guide (32), and a drive member (34) configured to move the carriage (33) along the guide (32).

4. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first seat (26A) and the second seat (26B) are arranged on the same single line with a seat spacing (P2), the seat spacing (P2) being equal to or a multiple of the feed line spacing (P1) between the feed lines (18), or the first seat (26A) is arranged along the first line and the second seat (26B) is arranged along the second line adjacent to and parallel to the first line, such that the first seat (26A) and the second seat (26B) intersect each other.

5. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The feeding device (11) includes a plurality of directional elements (21) arranged between the feeder (17) and the feed line (18).

6. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, It also includes a push member (27) disposed below the receiving element (25), the push member (27) being configured to move vertically to lift the sealing element (100) from the seat (26) of the receiving element (25).

7. The apparatus (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Also includes: A transfer device (13) configured to pick up the sealing element (100) from the receiving device (12); and an application device (14) configured to apply the sealing element (100) picked up by the transfer device (13) to the corresponding container (200).

8. A method for applying a sealing element (100) to a container (200), the method comprising: - Feeding step, wherein the feeder (17) supplies the sealing element (100) in bulk to a plurality (N) feed lines (18) connected to the feeder (17) and arranged along a common propulsion direction (X). - Receiving step, wherein receiving elements (25) provided with a plurality (M) seats (26) open toward the feed line (18) receive the sealing element (100) arriving from the feed line (18) in the seats (26), The invention is characterized by comprising an alignment step, wherein the receiving element (25) is moved between a first position and a second position relative to the fixed feed line (18), wherein in the first position, one or more first seats (26A) of the plurality (M) seats (26) are aligned with one or more first feed lines (18A) of the plurality (N) feed lines (18) to receive a corresponding sealing element (100) in at least one or each first seat (26A); and in the second position, one or more second seats (26B) of the plurality (M) seats (26) are aligned with one or more second feed lines (18B) of the plurality (N) feed lines (18) to receive a corresponding sealing element (100) in at least one or each second seat (26B).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a lifting step in which a pushing member (27) arranged below the receiving element (25) moves vertically to lift the sealing element (100) from the seat (26) of the receiving element (25).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Also includes: transfer Step, wherein the transfer device (13) picks up the sealing element (100) from the receiving device (12). And the application step, wherein the application device (14) applies the sealing element (100) that has been picked up by the transfer device (13) to the corresponding container (200).

Images