Folding device and method of capsule

Abstract

The present invention provides a folding device for a tamper-evident ring (102) for folding a bottle cap (100), comprising a capsule support (2) and a folding tool (3) that can move vertically relative to each other. The bottle cap support (2) is configured to accommodate the bottle cap (100) with the tamper-evident ring (102) positioned on top, while the folding tool (3) is used to fold the tamper-evident ring (102) toward the inside of the bottle cap (100). Preferably, the bottle cap support (2) includes an arc-shaped support arm (7) for supporting the side wall (103) of the bottle cap (100), such as the shoulder, and a space (6) provided below the support arm (7) for accommodating the lower part of the bottle cap, such as the top of the cap, thereby allowing the folding force applied to the bottle cap (100) by the folding tool (3) to be partially borne by the support arm (7). The bottle cap (100) can be a sports cap for a beverage bottle.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This invention relates to a folding device and method for folding capsules, and more particularly to fins for folding tamper-evident seals made of plastic that can be used to seal containers.

[0002] Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention discussed can be effectively used to manufacture a particular type of capsule, namely a so-called "sport cap," which includes a capsule body and a dispensing nozzle, wherein the capsule body can be engaged with the neck of a container by means of the fins of the capsule's tamper-evident seal, and wherein the dispensing nozzle is closed by a cap connected to the capsule body by means of a breakable safety device (an example of a "sport cap" is shown in patent publication US 2009 / 0152269 A1).

[0003] "Motion cap" type capsules typically have two tamper-evident safety devices, one of which is configured to attach an tamper-evident tape to the capsule body to indicate the possible first detachment of the capsule body from the container, and the other safety device is used to indicate the first opening of the cap of the dispensing nozzle.

[0004] The security devices provided for attaching the tamper-evident seal to the capsule body typically include a convenient break line and fins on the ridge intended to engage the neck of the container.

[0005] It is known that a closed capsule is manufactured by molding plastic into a mold in which fins are positioned facing outwards to allow the capsule to be removed from the mold. The fins must then be folded inside the capsule to achieve a usage configuration in which the fins engage with a ridge on the neck of the container.

[0006] It is known that this folding task is performed in a device comprising a rotating turntable carrying several folding units, each of which includes a lower support carrying a capsule and an upper folding tool, the upper folding tool causing the fins to partially fold into the capsule by reciprocating movement between the support and the tool along a vertical axis of motion.

[0007] Patent publication EP 1 243 520 A1 shows a specific example of a device for fins of an tamper-evident seal for folding capsules.

[0008] One of the problems with the prior art is that, especially in the case of capsules with two fragile safety devices, the operation of the folding fins may cause at least one of the fragile safety devices of the capsule (particularly devices configured to indicate the opening of the cap of the dispensing nozzle in capsules of a special so-called "moving cap" type) to break (or even partially break), or be damaged or weakened. Summary of the Invention

[0009] One objective of this invention is to propose a folding device and / or method that can overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

[0010] One objective is to improve known apparatus and methods for folding fins in a capsule having two fragile safety devices, such as a special type of capsule known as a "moving cap".

[0011] One objective is to provide a folding device and / or method, particularly for capsule fins, as an alternative to the prior art.

[0012] One advantage is that the operation of the folding fins can damage the easily breakable safety device that indicates the opening of the cap of the dispensing nozzle in the capsule, which is set as an indicator of the "movement cap" type.

[0013] One advantage is that it ensures the precise and reliable operation of the tamper-evident seal fins on the folding capsule.

[0014] One advantage is that the capsule can be quickly, easily, and securely assembled inside the unit, especially by supplying the capsule in a horizontal insertion direction.

[0015] One advantage is that the folding device can be used to fold capsule fins, and the folding device is inexpensive and simple in structure.

[0016] Such advantages, as well as other advantages, are achieved by means of one or more of the apparatuses and / or methods described in the claims below.

[0017] In one specific example, a folding device includes at least one folding unit having a capsule support and a folding tool movable relative to each other along a movement (especially vertical) axis, wherein the capsule support can accommodate a capsule having fins disposed above it, and the folding tool can fold the fins toward the interior of the capsule, and wherein the capsule support includes a support arm that accommodates and provides support for a shoulder of the sidewall of the capsule, and a blanking space disposed below the support arm that can accommodate a portion of the capsule located below the shoulder, wherein "shoulder" means a change in the diameter of the sidewall.

[0018] The proposed solution enables the folding of capsules, particularly the tamper-evident seal fins of so-called "moving cap" type capsules, without supporting the capsule from below (i.e., supported on the lower end wall, which in the capsule's usage configuration would act as the upper end wall of the capsule), so as to avoid stress on the vulnerable element (ridge) of the capsule body where the nozzle is attached during the folding operation.

[0019] Specifically, the support arm may have an open-ring or C-shaped configuration, as it accommodates and provides support to the shoulder of the capsule's sidewall. This particular configuration of the support arm allows the capsule to be inserted into the support in the horizontal direction or with at least one horizontal component of movement, thereby potentially eliminating any corresponding vertical movement between the capsule and its support. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The invention can be better understood and practiced by referring to the accompanying drawings, which are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples, in which: Figure 1 This is a top plan view of the folding device according to the invention, with some components removed to better show the other components; Figure 2 exhibit Figure 1 Magnified details; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the device details, in which the capsule support is visible together with the support arm; Figure 4 Showing a vertical elevation view with partial sectioning based on the vertical cross-section plane Figure 3 Details; Figure 5 This is a partially sectional vertical view, shown as a projection on the graphic plane. Figure 1 The folding unit of the device employs certain configurations, while the unit travels along its circular path conveyed by the folding turntable, and some components of the unit are guided vertically by an upper cam device and a lower cam device. Figure 6 exhibit Figure 5 Some magnified details of the configuration; Figure 7 exhibit Figure 6 Further magnified details of the configuration, showing the fin folding that occurs. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Referring to the foregoing figures, a folding device is described, which can be used particularly for folding fins in a capsule that can be used to seal a container. Specifically, the fins can be part of the tamper-evident seal of the capsule's fragile safety device. The capsule can be made, in particular, of plastic.

[0022] The folding device is particularly useful for folding capsules with two fragile safety devices, such as "movement cap" type capsules, which include a capsule body and a dispensing nozzle, wherein the capsule body can be engaged with a ridge on the neck of the container via the fins of the tamper-evident seal of the first fragile safety device (which marks the possible first detachment of the capsule body from the container), and wherein the dispensing nozzle is closed by a cap of the capsule body connected by a second fragile safety device (e.g., provided with a series of fragile ridges), which indicates the opening of the cap of the dispensing nozzle.

[0023] The folding device includes at least one folding unit 1, which in turn includes a capsule support 2 and a folding tool 3. Specifically, as in this particular example, the folding device may include a folding turntable 4 that rotatably carries a plurality of folding units 1 (about a vertical axis of rotation), the plurality of folding units being configured to be angularly spaced (equidistant) from each other.

[0024] For each folding unit 1, the folding tool 3 may be specifically positioned above the capsule support 2. For each folding unit 1, the capsule support 2 and the folding tool 3 may move relative to each other along the movement axis Z (especially vertically).

[0025] Each capsule support 2 is configured to accommodate the capsule 100, such that the end wall 101 of the capsule is positioned below the fin 102 of the capsule.

[0026] Each folding tool 3 is configured to perform the folding of the capsule's fins 102 from top to bottom and toward the inside of the capsule.

[0027] Specifically, each capsule support 2 may include a support edge 5 and a blanking space 6 disposed below the support edge 5. The support edge 5 is configured to receive and provide support for a portion of the capsule's sidewall 103. The blanking space 6 below the support edge 5 is configured to receive a portion 104 of the capsule located below the portion of the capsule's sidewall 103 resting in the support edge 5. Specifically, the capsule portion 104 may include an end wall 101.

[0028] The fins 102 of capsule 100 are part of the tamper-evident seal of capsule 100, which is connected to the body of capsule 100 by a first fragile device. Capsule 100 includes a second fragile device 105, which is inserted between the aforementioned portion of sidewall 103 and endwall 101.

[0029] Each capsule support 2 may include a support arm 7, and the support edge 5 may include the (upper) edge of the support arm 7.

[0030] Specifically, the support edge 5 may extend in an arc shape along its length. Specifically, the arc shape of the support edge 5 may extend along its length at a central angle less than 230° or less than 220° or less than 210° or contained between 180° and 230°, or contained between 180° and 220°, or contained between 180° and 210°, or contained between 190° and 220°, or contained between 200° and 210°.

[0031] The central angle is the angle formed by two straight lines that are tangent to the arcuate shape of the support edge 5 at its two opposite endpoints. In this particular specific example, the support edge 5 extends in length with a central angle within the range of 210° ± 5°.

[0032] Specifically, the support edge 5 may be shaped as an open ring to define a side opening through which the capsule 100 may be at least partially inserted. Specifically, the support edge 5 may have a cross-sectional shape (according to a vertical cross-sectional plane) defining a stationary surface that is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal plane and opens inward.

[0033] Specifically, the folding device may include at least one feeder 8 configured to feed capsules 100 one at a time to the folding turntable 4, particularly such that during continuous rotation of the folding turntable 4 (e.g., at a constant rotational speed), each capsule 100 is inserted into a separate folding unit 1 having at least a portion of the capsule 100, and each capsule is inserted into the folding unit 1 through the aforementioned side opening in a direction having at least one horizontal motion component.

[0034] Specifically, each capsule support 2 may include a support surface 9 that defines the aforementioned blank space 6 below, so as to support the end wall 101 of the capsule.

[0035] The support surface 9 and support edge 5 of each capsule support 2 may be shaped and configured such that during folding (as will be better explained further in this specification), the force applied to the capsule by the folding tool 3 is partially released to the support edge 5 and partially released to the support surface 9, a portion of the capsule sidewall 103 (e.g., in the form of a shoulder) rests on the support edge, and the capsule endwall 101 rests on the support surface.

[0036] Specifically, the folding tool 3 may include an inner annular portion 10 and an outer annular portion 11, which are movable relative to each other along a movement axis Z (particularly a vertical axis). Specifically, the folding tool 3 may include an elastic device 12 (e.g., a coil spring) configured to apply a spring force that holds the outer annular portion 11 abutting the inner annular portion 10. The inner annular portion 10 is configured to perform the folding of the fin 102, while the outer annular portion 11 is configured to interact in contact with a portion of the capsule 100 connected to the fin 102 by means of a contact force that counteracts the aforementioned spring force.

[0037] Specifically, the folding tool 3 may include a centering member 13 movable relative to the inner annular portion 10 along the axis of movement Z. The centering member 13 is configured to at least partially enter the interior of the capsule 100 to perform centering adjustment of the capsule 100 relative to the folding tool 3 along the axis of movement Z. Specifically, the centering member 13 may include a rod having a centering disk below and being slidable within an axial cavity obtained in the inner annular portion 10 along the (vertical) axis of movement Z.

[0038] Specifically, the folding device may include a first guiding system configured to guide the reciprocating movement of each capsule support 2 and each folding tool 3 along their respective vertical movement axes Z. In this case, the first guiding system is configured to guide the vertical movement of the capsule support 2 such that, in this specific example, the aforementioned reciprocating movement consists of the vertical movement of the capsule support 2.

[0039] Specifically, the first guidance system may include a cam system. Specifically, the cam system may include a cam profile 14 extending in length along the circumferential direction. Figure 5 The diagram shows a plan view of the cam profile 14, together with the capsule support 2, relative to some positions of the folding tool 3, and several cam follower members 15, each capsule support 2 having one cam follower member slidably coupled to the cam profile 14. For each folding unit 1, each capsule support 2 has a separate cam follower member 15 coupled to the cam profile 14, such that during rotation of the folding turntable 4, a given vertical position of the capsule support will correspond to an angular position of the capsule support 2.

[0040] Specifically, the folding device may include a second guiding system configured to guide the reciprocating movement of each internal annular portion 10 and each individual center adjustment member 13 along the vertical movement axis Z. In this particular case, the second guiding system is configured to guide the vertical movement of each center adjustment member 13 such that, in this specific example, the aforementioned reciprocating movement consists of the vertical movement of the center adjustment member 13.

[0041] Specifically, the second guidance system may include a cam system. Specifically, the cam system may include a cam profile 16 extending in length along the circumferential direction and a plurality of cam follower members 17, each with a central adjustment member 13 having a cam follower member that is slidably coupled to the cam profile 16.

[0042] For each folding unit 1, each center adjustment member 13 has a separate cam follower member 17 coupled to the cam profile 16, such that during the rotation of the folding turntable 4, the vertical position of the center adjustment member will correspond to the respective vertical position of the center adjustment member 13.

[0043] The operation of the folding device enables a folding method that includes accommodating the capsule 100 on the capsule support 2 such that the end wall 101 of the capsule is positioned below the fin 102, which is oriented toward the outside of the capsule 100.

[0044] The folding method includes performing relative mutual movement between the capsule 100 and the folding tool 3 along the (vertical) movement axis Z, such that the folding tool 3 can perform the folding of the fin 102 inside the capsule 100.

[0045] During the aforementioned folding process, a portion of the capsule's sidewall 103 is housed and supported by a portion of the capsule support 2.

[0046] During the aforementioned folding process, the second fragile device 105 is inserted between the aforementioned portion of the sidewall 103 and the endwall 101, such that at least a portion of the force applied by the folding tool 3 during the folding process is released onto the aforementioned portion of the capsule support 2, which receives the aforementioned portion of the sidewall 103 and provides support.

[0047] Specifically, the aforementioned portion of the sidewall 103 may include a shoulder (a variation in the diameter of the sidewall 103), which is received and supported by the aforementioned portion of the capsule support 2 during folding. Specifically, the aforementioned portion of the sidewall 103 may be annular in shape.

[0048] Specifically, the aforementioned portion of the capsule support 2 may include a support arm 7 having an arc-shaped support edge 5 on which the aforementioned portion of the sidewall 103 rests.

[0049] Specifically, the folding method may include feeding a plurality of capsules 100 one at a time, such that each capsule 100 is inserted into the respective capsule support 2 through the aforementioned side openings obtained on the aforementioned portions of the respective capsule support 2 in an insertion direction having at least one horizontal motion component.

[0050] Figure 1Capsules 100 are arranged in a row, one in front of the other, and are advanced in a horizontal feeding direction that corresponds to the insertion direction in each capsule support 2. The capsule supports 2 of the various folding units 1 are rotated by folding turntables 4. Figure 2 Highlighted is the first capsule 100 of the column received within the capsule support 2 of the folding unit 1, which is then in the insertion area. As the capsule support 2 reaches the insertion area while being rotated by the folding turntable 4, the capsule 100 can enter the capsule support 2, and the aforementioned portion (shoulder) of the capsule's side wall 103 can be received by the support arm 7 of the capsule support 2.

[0051] Figure 5 This demonstrates some of the operational steps of the folding device during the complete rotation of the folding turntable 4. Figure 6 Display and Figure 5 (A scaled-up version of the same steps).

[0052] refer to Figure 5 (and Figure 6 The folding method includes a first step (first figure from the left), in which capsule 100 is housed in capsule support 2 (see also...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this first step, the capsule support 2 has been guided by the first guide system to a lower position away from the folding tool 3, and the center adjustment member 13 has been guided by the second guide system to an upper position away from the capsule support 2.

[0053] In the second step (from) Figure 5 In the second figure from the left, the capsule support 2 carrying the capsule 100 is held (referring to vertical movement) in the lower position, while the center adjustment member 13 has been guided to the lower position by the second guide system, in which the center adjustment member is at least partially inserted into the capsule 100 carried by the capsule support 2.

[0054] In the third step (the third diagram from the left, also see...), Figure 7 In the capsule support 2, the capsule support 2 is guided by the first guide system to perform an upward movement to the upper position. In the upper position, the capsule support interferes with the inner annular portion 10 and the outer annular portion 11 of the folding tool 3 to perform the folding of the fin 102. Meanwhile, the center adjustment member 13 is guided upward to the upper position by the second guide system to perform the upward movement of the capsule 100 in a coordinated manner.

[0055] In this third step, the fin 102 is folded backward into the capsule 100 by the action of the inner annular portion 10 of the folding tool 3, while the outer annular portion 11 is lifted upward by the rising of the capsule 100 and the contact of the capsule portion connected to the fin 102 (counteracting the action of the elastic device 12), so as to promote the correct refolding efficiency of the fin 102. It can be observed that in this particular specific instance, the inner annular portion 10 (which interacts with the fin 102 in contact to refold the fin 102) does not perform any axial movement along the vertical movement axis Z.

[0056] In the fourth step (from) Figure 5 In the fourth figure from the left, the capsule support 2 has been guided by the first guide system to perform a downward movement to return to the lower position, and the center adjustment member 13 has been guided downward by the second guide system to return to the lower position so as to continue to follow the downward movement of the capsule 100 in a coordinated manner.

[0057] In the fifth step ( Figure 5 In the fifth figure from the left, the capsule support 100 is held in the lower position, and the center adjustment member 13 is guided upward by the second guide system to return to the upper position so as to release the capsule, which can then be evacuated to restart a new folding cycle with the next capsule in another rotation of the folding turntable 4.

[0058] At least a portion of the folding force applied to the capsule 100 by the folding tool 3 is released to the support arm 7 through an annular portion of the sidewall 103 of the capsule resting in the support edge 5. In this specific example, this annular portion of the sidewall 103 includes a shoulder, that is, a change in the diameter of the sidewall 103.

[0059] The second fragile safety device 105 of the capsule is mechanically inserted outside the aforementioned annular portion of the side wall 103. Specifically, the second fragile safety device 105 is mechanically inserted between the aforementioned annular portion of the side wall 103 and the end wall 101 of the capsule.

[0060] Therefore, the force component released to the support arm 7 is not released to the second fragile safety device 105 (that is, in this specific example, released to the ridge that connects the cap of the nozzle of the capsule 100 to the body of the capsule 100) in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of damage to the second fragile safety device 105.

[0061] It should be noted that during folding, the force applied by the folding tool 3 may be partially released onto the aforementioned portion of the capsule support (i.e., onto the support arm 7) and partially onto the support surface 9 of the capsule support 2, on which the end wall 101 of the capsule rests. This may be achieved by appropriately setting the size of the capsule support 2 according to the shape of the capsule (specifically, the vertical distance between the support surface 9 and the support edge 5 of the capsule support 2), and by utilizing some deformability of the capsule during folding.

[0062] Releasing a portion of the folding force onto the support surface 9 of the capsule support 2 during folding allows for greater stability and folding precision of the capsule 100. A portion of the folding force released onto the support surface 9 of the capsule support 2 will exert stress on the second fragile safety device 105. Nevertheless, since a portion of the folding force is released through the support arm 7, it is still possible to achieve the goal of reducing stress on at least one fragile safety device.

Claims

1. A folding method, particularly by means of an apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14, comprising the steps of receiving a capsule (100) on a capsule support (2) such that the end wall (11) of the capsule is configured below a fin (102) oriented toward the outside of the capsule, and performing relative relative movement between the capsule (100) and a folding tool (3) along a vertical movement axis (Z) such that the folding tool (3) performs a folding of the fin (102) toward the inside of the capsule, wherein during the folding, a portion of the side wall (103) of the capsule is received and supported by a portion of the capsule support (2), and a fragile safety device (105) is placed between the portion of the side wall (103) and the end wall (101), wherein at least a portion of the force applied by the folding tool (3) during the folding is released onto the portion of the capsule support (2) that receives and supports the portion of the side wall (103).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the sidewall (103) includes a shoulder that is received and supported by the portion of the capsule support (2) during the folding.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion of the capsule support (2) includes a support arm (7) having an arc-shaped support edge (5), and the portion of the sidewall (103) rests on the support edge.

4. The method as described in any of the preceding claims, wherein the portion of the sidewall (103) is annular in shape.

5. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising feeding a plurality of capsules one at a time, such that each capsule (100) is inserted into the respective capsule support (2) through a side opening formed on that portion of the capsule support (2) in an insertion direction having at least one horizontal component of motion.

6. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein during the folding process, the force applied by the folding tool (3) is partially released onto the portion of the capsule support (2) and partially released onto the support surface (9) of the capsule support (2), wherein the end wall (101) of the capsule (100) rests on the support surface.

7. A folding device comprising at least one folding unit (1), the folding unit further comprising a capsule support (2) and a folding tool (3) disposed above the capsule support (2), the capsule support (2) and the folding tool (3) being movable relative to each other along a vertical axis of movement (Z), the capsule support (2) being configured to accommodate a capsule (100) such that the end wall (101) of the capsule is disposed below the fins (102) of the capsule, and the folding tool (3) being configured to perform folding. The fin (102) of the capsule folds from top to bottom toward the interior of the capsule (100). The capsule support (2) includes a support edge (5) and a blank space (6) disposed below the support edge (5). The support edge (5) is configured to receive and provide support for a portion of the sidewall (103) of the capsule (100). The blank space (6) is configured to receive a portion of the capsule located on the sidewall (103) of the capsule and resting on the support edge (5).

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the support edge (5) includes the upper edge of the support arm (7).

9. The device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the support edge (5) has an arcuate shape, particularly having a central angle less than 230° or less than 220° or less than 210° or included between 180° and 230°, or included between 180° and 220°, or included between 180° and 210°, or included between 190° and 220°, or included between 200° and 210°, wherein the central angle refers to the angle formed by two straight lines tangent to the support edge (5) at two opposite endpoints.

10. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the support edge (5) is shaped as an open ring to define a side opening through which at least a portion of the capsule (100) can be inserted.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, comprising at least one feeder (8) configured to feed the capsule (100) one at a time to the at least one folding unit (1) so as to insert at least a portion of the capsule (100) into the at least one folding unit (1) through the side opening in an insertion direction having at least one horizontal motion component.

12. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the capsule support (2) includes a support surface (9) that defines the blank space (6) at the bottom and is configured, in particular, to receive and support the end wall (101) of the capsule (100).

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the support surface (9) and the support edge (5) are shaped and configured such that, during the folding process, the force exerted on the capsule (100) by the folding tool (3) is partially released onto the support edge (5) and partially released onto the support surface (9), the portion of the sidewall (103) of the capsule rests on the support edge, and the endwall (101) of the capsule rests on the support surface.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the folding tool (3) comprises an inner annular portion (10) and an outer annular portion (11) movable relative to each other along the vertical axis of movement (Z), the inner annular portion (10) being configured to perform the folding of the fin (102), and the outer annular portion (11) being configured to interact in contact with a capsule attached to the fin (102).

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