Apparatus and method for wetting a portion of a fiber-based container

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (40) for moistening a portion (21) of a fiber-based container (20) and a corresponding method. The device (40) has a moistening device (30) and a positioning device (50) for positioning the fiber-based container (20) relative to the moistening device (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for wetting a portion of a fiber-based container, according to the preamble of the independent claim. Background Technology

[0002] Various devices for handling fiber-based containers are known from the prior art.

[0003] For example, WO 2023 / 118058 A1 discloses an apparatus that uses a laser beam to cut protruding areas of a fiber-based container. A disadvantage is that any subsequent coating on the container in the area of ​​the cut edge will have different properties compared to the rest of the container and may adhere poorly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to eliminate at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, an apparatus and / or method is provided that enables uniform application of a coating onto a container.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the apparatus and method defined in the independent claim. Further embodiments are derived from the dependent claims.

[0006] The device according to the invention is an apparatus for wetting a portion of a fiber-based container. The apparatus includes a wetting device.

[0007] It has been found that, due to laser processing and, in particular, heat input, a portion of the container (in this case, the area at the cut edge) has a lower moisture content than the area of ​​the container adjacent to that portion.

[0008] By incorporating a device for wetting this section, the humidity gradient can be made more even. In other words, moisture removed from this section can be replenished. Therefore, the container will have a substantially uniform moisture content, especially in all areas.

[0009] Therefore, for subsequent coatings, from the container's perspective, the boundary conditions are identical in all areas. For example, if the container undergoes a powder coating process, the coating will be deposited uniformly on the container's surface because the container is essentially uniform, at least in terms of moisture content.

[0010] This results in a more uniform coating, particularly a more uniform layer thickness. Furthermore, the coating will adhere evenly to the entire surface of the container.

[0011] Preferably, the device for wetting a portion of the fiber-based container has a positioning device for positioning the fiber-based container relative to the wetting device, particularly in a stationary manner.

[0012] This allows the portion of the container to be wetted to be positioned in a precise manner, and in particular in a fixed position relative to the location of the wetting device, thereby ensuring that only the portion of the container that is actually deficient in moisture is wetted.

[0013] The positioning device may have holding elements for holding the fiber-based container, particularly a clamp or vacuum device.

[0014] Therefore, the fiber-based container can be held firmly and immovably in a specific position, and the corresponding wetting operation can be performed.

[0015] The wetting device can be arranged in a stationary manner, but preferably, the wetting device can be moved axially.

[0016] Axial mobility allows the wetting device to be axially advanced toward the portion to be wetted, bringing it into close proximity. This allows for precise wetting of the portion and, in particular, prevents condensation of moisture in areas where additional wetting is not required.

[0017] The wetting device may have a nozzle. The nozzle can distribute water droplets into a uniformly distributed mist, thereby enabling the water to be applied evenly to a portion of the surface.

[0018] Preferably, the nozzle is designed to form a conical mist. By selecting a specific conical opening and a specific distance from that portion, the corresponding area can be exposed to the mist in a specific manner.

[0019] However, it is possible to design the nozzle with an annular gap. This annular gap is chosen such that its size substantially corresponds to the portion to be wetted. In this case, the portion to be wetted is typically the opening of the container, i.e., a substantially annular region. By properly designing the nozzle, this region can be precisely aligned in a specific manner.

[0020] Alternatively, the nozzle can be moved along that portion, particularly along a circular path. This allows the nozzle to be moved along the opening or machined edge (i.e., cut edge) of the container and to wet the container. This allows the nozzle to be designed with, for example, a very small diameter, so that the sprayed mist is also highly localized.

[0021] Alternatively, a sponge can be provided for the wetting device. Therefore, the wetting device has a sponge. By gently pressing the sponge against the area to be wetted, the moisture contained in the sponge can be distributed onto that area. The sponge is designed to be substantially planar, or it can be designed according to the contour of the area to be wetted.

[0022] In this case, especially if the part to be wetted is designed as a container opening, the sponge can have a ring-shaped design. Therefore, the sponge essentially overlaps with the part to be wetted.

[0023] In particular, in the design of a wetting device with a sponge, an axially movable wetting device is advantageous. The sponge can be pressed against the area to be wetted in a manner similar to molding.

[0024] Preferably, the portion of the container to be wetted is the neck of the fiber-based container, and in particular, the cut edge on the neck of the fiber-based container.

[0025] This is an area that has dried out compared to the rest of the container and therefore has a lower moisture content due to poor heat treatment by the laser.

[0026] On the other hand, a method for wetting a portion of a fiber-based container is provided. This method is performed, in particular, by means of an apparatus as described herein. In this method for wetting a portion of a fiber-based container, the portion of the container is wetted by means of a wetting device.

[0027] By properly wetting this part, the moisture content inside the container, especially inside the container walls, can be balanced.

[0028] Preferably, in the first step, the container to be wetted has a portion adjacent to the wettability device that is to be wetted. The container is particularly positioned in a stationary manner.

[0029] In order to wet this part, a supply of ionized or ionizable liquid (especially water) can be dispensed from the wetting device to the fiber-based container.

[0030] An ionized or ionizable liquid makes it possible to provide the desired conductivity to the container and / or that portion. This is particularly advantageous if the container subsequently undergoes a powder coating process.

[0031] The liquid supply source can be dispensed or released in the form of a spray.

[0032] A spray is a substantially uniform distribution of very fine water droplets, which makes it possible to apply moisture evenly to a portion of an object, as already explained regarding the device. Similarly, the same advantages are achieved.

[0033] Alternatively, the liquid supply source can be dispensed using a squeezing operation. This squeezing operation allows for highly targeted dispensing of the liquid supply source, particularly within very narrow tolerances relative to its boundaries.

[0034] In particular, for the latter operation, the liquid supply source can be placed in the sponge.

[0035] The liquid supply source is confined within the sponge and is only released when the corresponding squeezing operation is initiated. Furthermore, liquid is dispensed only when the sponge is pressed against the corresponding mating part (e.g., the cut edge of a container).

[0036] It is conceivable that the distribution of the liquid supply source could be controlled based on at least one moisture measurement. In this case, it could be stipulated that the moisture content of the part to be wetted be checked and measured accordingly first. Based on this measurement, for example, the squeezing operation or its squeezing time could be controlled. Similarly, the duration of the spraying operation could be controlled.

[0037] To improve the regulation of the distribution of the liquid supply source, a second moisture measurement can be performed. Specifically, a first moisture measurement is performed on the container, and a second measurement is performed on the portion to be wetted. Based on these two measurements, a humidity difference and / or humidity gradient can be calculated, and then this humidity difference and / or humidity gradient can be used as input values ​​to control the wetting operation. Attached Figure Description

[0038] The invention is explained below with reference to the schematic diagrams. In the drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the device is shown;

[0040] Figure 2 Another embodiment of the device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1 A device 40 for wetting a portion 21 of a fiber-based container 20 is shown. As can be seen, the device 20 has a positioning device 50 for positioning the fiber-based container 20. A holding element 51 is also arranged on the positioning device 20 to hold the container 20 in an upright position.

[0042] A wetting device 30 is arranged on the apparatus 40. In this case, the wetting device 30 has a sponge 31. The wetting device 30 is axially movable along the illustrated double arrow. A media supply line delivers a water supply source to the sponge 31. Once the container 20 is positioned, the wetting device 30 can move axially, and the sponge 31 can be pressed against the portion 21 to be wetted. In this case, this portion is a cut edge formed on the neck of the container 20. By simply pressing the sponge 31 against this cut edge, the cut edge can be wetted accordingly.

[0043] Figure 2 An alternative embodiment of a device 40 for wetting a portion 21 of a fiber-based container 20 is shown. Figure 2 The device 40 is similar to Figure 1 The device 40 is constructed in a manner that... The device is... Figure 1 The difference in this device is that, instead of sponge 31, nozzle 32 is arranged on wetting device 30. Because nozzle 32 sprays mist, the wetting device no longer absolutely needs to be axially movable.

[0044] However, in both implementations, it is advantageous to hold the container in place using a positioning device. On the one hand, this ensures that the container will not tip over if force is applied to it, for example, by means of a sponge; on the other hand, it makes the wetting process traceable.

Claims

1. A device (40) for wetting a portion (21) of a fiber-based container (20), wherein the device (40) has a wetting device (30), characterized in that, The device (40) has a positioning device (50) for positioning the fiber-based container (20) relative to the wetting device (30).

2. The device (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning device (50) has holding elements for holding the fiber-based container (20), particularly a clamp or vacuum device.

3. The apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The wetting device (30) is axially movable.

4. The apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The wetting device (30) has a nozzle (31).

5. The apparatus (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The nozzle (31) forms a cone-shaped mist.

6. The apparatus (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The nozzle (31) is designed with an annular gap.

7. The apparatus (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The nozzle (31) is movable along the portion (21), particularly along a circular path.

8. The apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The wetting device (30) has a sponge (31).

9. The apparatus (40) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sponge (32) is ring-shaped.

10. The apparatus (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The portion (21) is the neck (22) of the fiber-based container, and in particular the cut edge (23) on the neck (22).

11. A method for wetting a portion (21) of a fiber-based container (20), said method particularly by means of a device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The portion (21) of the container is wetted by means of a wetting device (30).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in the first step, the container (20) to be wetted is provided, in particular, in a static manner, with the portion (21) adjacent to the wetting device (30).

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that, In order to wet the portion (21), an ionized or ionizable liquid supply source, particularly a water supply source, is dispensed from the wetting device (30) to the fiber-based container (20).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The liquid supply source is distributed in the form of a spray.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The liquid supply source is distributed through a squeezing operation.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The liquid supply source is located in the sponge (32).

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The distribution of the liquid supply source is controlled based on at least one moisture measurement.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, A first moisture measurement is performed on the container (20), and a second measurement is performed on the portion (21).

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