DEVICE FOR SEPARATE, TREAT AND REASSEMBLY OF MULTI-PART OBJECTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for separating, treating and reassembling multi-part objects.

[0002] In numerous fields of application, and particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, multi-part objects with a base and lid are used, for example, as containers, packaging, or the like. Such objects are delivered as a unit with the lid attached to the base, as is the case with push-in capsules, for example. For filling or other treatment, the lid parts are removed from the base parts. Once processing is complete, the lid parts are replaced. Currently, such processes are carried out in a timed manner in order to enable process steps such as opening and closing. However, due to the alternating acceleration and deceleration of movements, the timing limits the process speed. The acceleration and deceleration forces that act require a corresponding amount of mechanical effort and drive power.US 2018 / 014999 A1 also discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a device for separating, treating and reassembling multi-part objects which is suitable for continuous operation.

[0004] This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

[0005] According to the invention, the device comprises a process wheel that can be rotated about a rotational axis for receiving the base parts and the cover parts and for transporting them along at least one processing station, a rotationally drivable separating device for separating the cover parts from the base parts, and an insertion device for receiving the base parts and the cover parts from the separating device and inserting the base parts and the cover parts into the process wheel. The process wheel has a first, lower receiving ring and a second, upper receiving ring as a jointly rotatable unit. The first receiving ring is arranged with a first radius concentric with the rotational axis and has a specific number of base receptacles for the base parts.The second receiving ring is arranged concentrically to the rotation axis with a second radius that is smaller than the first radius and has the same number of cover receptacles for the cover parts. The insertion device has a first, lower insertion wheel with base holders for the base parts distributed around the circumference, and a second, upper insertion wheel with cover holders for the cover parts distributed around the circumference.

[0006] A wheel arrangement is arranged between the separating device and the process wheel. The wheel arrangement comprises a first, lower wheel with circumferentially distributed base holders for the base parts and a second, upper wheel with circumferentially distributed cover holders for the cover parts. This wheel arrangement is, in particular, the aforementioned insertion device with the first, lower insertion wheel and the second, upper insertion wheel. However, an additional wheel arrangement can also be provided and arranged, for example, between the separating device and the insertion device, or between the insertion device and the process wheel.In any case, the base holders and / or the cover holders in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second wheel, in particular the base holders and / or the cover holders in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second insertion wheel, are larger than the respectively received base parts or cover parts, respectively, that during operation they engage around the base parts or cover parts with a compensating play.

[0007] The invention is based on the idea of ​​guiding the separated base and cover parts together on a central process wheel along the designated processing stations, whereby the objects are separated into individual base and cover parts in an upstream separating device. In order to accommodate the highest possible number of separated base and cover parts on the process wheel while making good use of space, radial and axial position separation is provided: The base parts are held in a radially outer and axially lower receiving ring, while the cover parts are held in a radially inner and axially upper receiving ring. In this way, the cover parts remain in the area of ​​their base parts and are continuously moved together as a result of a continuous rotation of the process wheel.

[0008] Due to the predetermined angular velocity of the process wheel, the different radii of the two receiving rings result in uniform, but numerically different, circumferential speeds of the base parts and the cover parts. On the input side of the process wheel, the objects initially have a speed that is the same for both the base parts and the cover parts. This delivery speed can ideally be synchronized with just one of the two circumferential speeds of the receiving rings. The non-synchronized base or cover parts must undergo a speed adjustment. The insertion device is provided for this purpose according to the invention. The defined compensation play allows the base parts and / or the cover parts to perform a decelerating or accelerating speed jump at the moment of transfer and thus to be adapted to the current speed of the following receiving ring.

[0009] Overall, this enables continuous, non-intermittent operation of at least the central process wheel, with the objects as a whole and also divided into base and cover parts performing almost uniform movements with only minor speed adjustments.

[0010] It may be expedient to set the rotational speed of the separating device to the rotational speed of the first, lower receiving ring, which would then result in the upper cover parts having to be decelerated. Alternatively, it may also be expedient to set the rotational speed of the separating device somewhere between the two different rotational speeds of the two receiving rings, whereby the cover parts would only have to be decelerated slightly and the base parts would have to be accelerated slightly. However, it is preferred that the second, upper insertion wheel of the insertion device and the second, upper receiving ring of the process wheel are coordinated to have the same peripheral speed with one another and to have the same peripheral speed of the separating device, and that the cover holders of the second, upper insertion wheel are adapted to the size of the cover parts without any compensating play.This ensures that the cover parts maintain their speed as they pass through the separating device, the insertion device, and the process wheel. As a result, there is no need for a compensating play for speed adjustment. Only the base parts experience a speed adjustment in the form of an acceleration. Operational experience has shown that such acceleration can be handled with greater process reliability than deceleration.

[0011] It may be expedient to carry out the aforementioned speed jump during the transfer from the insertion device to the process wheel or to additionally distribute it over the transfer to the process wheel. Preferably, the first, lower insertion wheel of the insertion device and the first, lower receiving ring of the process wheel are coordinated with one another to have the same peripheral speed. The base holders of the insertion device are larger than the received base parts so that they grip the base parts with compensating play during operation. Furthermore, the lower object holders of the separating device are larger than the received base parts so that they grip the base parts with compensating play during operation. The accelerating speed jump is therefore carried out during the transfer of the base parts from the separating device to the insertion device.However, it can also be expedient to implement the aforementioned speed jump during the transfer from the insertion device to the process wheel, or to distribute it proportionally between the transfer from the cutting device and the transfer to the process wheel. Since there is no speed jump during the transfer to the lower receiving ring, the associated base holders do not need any compensating play. Omitting any compensating play at this point means that the base parts can be held precisely positioned and guided along the processing stations. The number of cover holders on the second insertion wheel is advantageously larger, in particular four more, than the number of base holders on the first insertion wheel. This allows a compact design to be achieved. There is certainly a positional offset in the circumferential direction between the base parts and the respectively assigned cover parts on the process wheel.However, this is so small that it can be reversed without much effort during the ejection process, so that all base parts regain their original lid parts.

[0012] The separation device is also preferably designed for continuous, non-intermittent operation. A prerequisite for this is that the objects each have a vertical axis, with the cover part being removable from the base part primarily in the direction of the vertical axis. For this purpose, the separation device has two separation wheels arranged one above the other, each with a rotational axis, with the rotational axes of the separation wheels intersecting one another and tilted relative to one another by a tilt angle. The lower separation wheel has lower object holders for the base parts distributed around its circumference, while the upper separation wheel has upper object holders for the cover parts distributed around its circumference. The two separation wheels have the same pitch circle diameter and are driven together in continuous rotation at the same angular speed.Due to the tilt angle between the axes, the upper and lower object holders cyclically change their distance between a minimum and a maximum axial distance, and simultaneously experience a relative tilting movement. The objects are fed in at the minimum distance. As the distance subsequently increases, the lid parts are removed from the base parts or are removed in a pivoting movement and can be transferred separately to the subsequent processing station at the maximum distance. This is achieved with a minimal mechanical structure and a continuous rotation of the separation wheels, enabling high processing speeds.

[0013] In an advantageous development, a feed wheel for individual objects is provided, which has a rotational axis and is positioned upstream of the separating device. In plan view, the separating device has a location with a minimum height difference between the lower and upper object holders and a location with a maximum height difference between the lower and upper object holders. The first, lower insertion wheel and the second, upper insertion wheel of the insertion device each have a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the feed wheel, the rotational axes of the separating wheels, the locations with the minimum and maximum height difference between the lower and upper object holders and the rotational axis of at least one insertion wheel lie on a straight connecting line. This ensures that the objects, which are initially still joined, are fed to the separating device at the location of the minimum height difference and from there experience the maximum available separation path for removing the cover part from the base part.At the location of the maximum height distance, the separation is complete and the base part and / or the cover part can be removed without collision.

[0014] In an advantageous development, the device according to the invention comprises a joining device for joining the separated base parts and cover parts, as well as a release device for removing the base parts and cover parts from the process wheel and for transferring the base parts and cover parts to the joining device, wherein the release device has a first, lower release wheel with base holders for the base parts distributed over the circumference, and a second, upper release wheel with cover holders for the cover parts distributed over the circumference. A wheel arrangement is arranged between the process wheel and the joining device, wherein the wheel arrangement has a first, lower wheel with base holders for the base parts distributed over the circumference, and a second, upper wheel with cover holders for the cover parts distributed over the circumference.This wheel arrangement is, in particular, the aforementioned dispensing device with the first, lower dispensing wheel and the second, upper dispensing wheel. However, an additional wheel arrangement can also be provided and arranged, for example, between the process wheel and the dispensing device, or between the dispensing device and the joining device. In any case, the base holders and / or the cover holders in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second wheel, in particular the base holders and / or the cover holders in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second dispensing wheel, are larger than the respectively received base parts or cover parts such that they engage around the base parts or cover parts with a compensating play during operation.

[0015] At this point, analogous to the above statements regarding the insertion device, although the base and cover parts move at different peripheral speeds on the central process wheel, the same speeds are required for the subsequent joining device. As with the insertion device, a compensating play is used here, which allows a speed jump during the takeover and / or transfer to compensate for the aforementioned speed difference.

[0016] Here, too, the faster lower parts can be decelerated, or a combination of deceleration of the lower parts and acceleration of the cover parts can be used to achieve the required speed alignment. Preferably, the first, lower dispensing wheel of the dispensing device and the first, lower receiving ring of the process wheel are coordinated to a similar peripheral speed with each other and with a similar peripheral speed of the joining device. As a result, the base parts maintain their speed unchanged. This allows the base holders of the first, lower dispensing wheel to be adjusted to the size of the base parts without any compensating play.

[0017] As with the insertion device, the remaining parts, in this case the cover parts, must undergo a speed adjustment. In this case, this must be an acceleration, which is considered more process-reliable and therefore advantageous compared to an optional deceleration of the base parts, which is also possible. This accelerating speed jump can be carried out when the base and cover parts are transferred from the process wheel to the discharge device, or it can be proportionally distributed over the subsequent transfer to the joining device. However, the second, upper discharge wheel of the discharge device and the second, upper receiving ring of the process wheel are preferably coordinated to a similar peripheral speed.The lid holders are larger than the lid parts they hold, allowing for a certain amount of play during operation. The upper object holders of the joining device are larger than the lid parts they hold, allowing for a certain amount of play during operation. The acceleration jump in speed therefore occurs exclusively during the transfer from the dispensing device to the joining device. The lid holders of the second holding ring therefore require no clearance and can be precisely adapted to the lid parts in shape and size. The lid parts can be positioned and held precisely and accurately in the lid holders while they are moved along the processing stations.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the number of base holders of the first dispensing wheel is equal to the number of cover holders of the second dispensing wheel. In such an embodiment, both dispensing wheels must be positioned with offset axes of rotation such that they can interact with the joining device on the one hand and with the receiving rings of the process wheel located at different radii on the other. This axis offset can be selected such that the above-described positional offset of the cover parts relative to their original base parts on the process wheel is canceled out. All base parts can be rejoined with their original cover parts. This is particularly important if the base and cover parts are to perform multiple revolutions on the process wheel. In this case, all base parts can be provided with their cover parts.Otherwise, during multiple circulation, some base parts and some lid parts would no longer find a partner during the subsequent discharge and would then have to be disposed of as rejects.

[0019] Analogous to the separating device defined above, the same design can also be used as a joining device, provided that the cover parts can also be placed back on the base parts in the direction of the vertical axis. Accordingly, the joining device has two joining wheels arranged one above the other, each with a rotational axis, whereby the rotational axes of the joining wheels intersect each other and are tilted against each other at a tilt angle, whereby the first, lower joining wheel has lower object holders for the base parts distributed around the circumference, and whereby the second, upper joining wheel has upper object holders for the cover parts distributed around the circumference. Here, the separated base and cover parts are picked up in the area of ​​the maximum axial distance between the object holders. The subsequent reduction in the distance causes the cover parts to be placed on the base parts or plugged on in a pivoting movement.In the area of ​​the minimum axial distance, the objects are completely plugged or joined together and are passed on there.

[0020] Analogous to the separating device defined above, an advantageous further development provides a transfer wheel for individual objects, which has a rotational axis and is positioned behind the joining device. The joining device, in plan view, has a location with a minimum height separation between the lower and upper object holders and a location with a maximum height separation between the lower and upper object holders. The first, lower release wheel and the second, upper release wheel of the release device each have a rotational axis. The rotational axis of the transfer wheel, the rotational axes of the joining wheels, the locations with the minimum and maximum height separation between the lower and upper object holders, and the rotational axis of at least one release wheel lie on a straight connecting line.This ensures that the base part and / or the cover part are fed collision-free to the separating device at the location of the maximum vertical distance. From there, they experience the maximum available axial joining path for placing the cover part on the base part. At the location of the minimum vertical distance, the joining is complete, and the joined object can be removed.

[0021] The separating device and the joining device are described here in connection with the overall device according to the invention. However, they each represent an independent invention and can be used as a standalone separating device and / or as a standalone joining device in other areas.

[0022] Advantageously, a discharge station is positioned in the circumferential area of ​​the process wheel, which station has lower discharge means and upper discharge means, wherein the lower discharge means can be brought into operative connection with the base parts located in the first receiving ring, and wherein the upper discharge means can be brought into operative connection with the cover parts located in the second receiving ring. This allows selective holding or discharge of the base and cover parts, so that a single circulation is possible, followed by a controlled discharge. Preferably, however, the lower discharge means and the upper discharge means can be controlled such that the base parts and the associated cover parts perform several circulations together with the process wheel. This allows multiple circulations with a freely selectable number of circulations to be carried out if required.This allows the base and / or cover parts to be repeatedly passed past the individual processing stations, for example to carry out multiple coating applications followed by a drying step, with the parts only being discharged after a sufficient number of repetitions.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 in a perspective view a two-part object with a base part and a lid part, Fig. 2 in a perspective view the object after Fig. 1 with the cover part pulled upwards, Fig. 3 in a plan view an embodiment of a device according to the invention, comprising a feed table, a separating wheel, a separating device, an inserting device, a central process wheel, an ejecting device, a joining device, and a transfer wheel Fig. 4 in an enlarged detailed view the device according to Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the separating device and the insertion device, wherein the insertion device comprises two different insertion wheels, Fig. 5 the arrangement according to Fig. 4 in the area of ​​the lower insertion wheel in interaction with base parts to form a compensating play, Fig. 6 in an enlarged detail view of the device according to Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the dispensing device and the joining device, wherein the dispensing device comprises two axially offset dispensing wheels, and wherein the upper dispensing wheel interacts with cover parts to form a compensating play, Fig. 7 in a plan view a section of the device according to Fig. 3 with details of the relative positioning of the feed wheel, separating wheel and inserting wheel as well as the relative positioning of the discharge wheel, joining wheel and transfer wheel. Fig. 8 in a side view of the separating device according to Fig. 3 with two cutting wheels positioned at a tilt angle to each other, and Fig. 9 in a side view the joining device according to Fig. 3 with two joining wheels positioned at a tilt angle to each other.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a multi-part object 1, which is to be separated, treated, and reassembled using the device described in more detail below. The object 1 has a vertical axis 2 and comprises at least a base part 3 and a cover part 4. The cover part 4 can be separated from the base part 3, for which purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, it can be pulled upwards in the direction of the vertical axis 2 according to an arrow 49.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows in perspective view the object 1 after Fig. 1 in the separated state. The cover part 4 is lifted vertically from the base part 3 in the direction of the vertical axis 2 and can be put back on the base part 3 in the opposite direction according to an arrow 50. In the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 und 2 The base part 3 and the cover part 4 each have a cylindrical basic shape. However, different shapes, such as polygonal ones or the like, may also be appropriate.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows in a plan view an embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating, treating and reassembling the multi-part objects 1 according to the Fig. 1, 2 . The device comprises a feed table 11 on which the objects 1 with the bottom and cover parts 3, 4 ( Fig. 1, 2 ) and fed to a subsequent feed wheel 12 acting as a separating wheel. The objects 1 are transferred individually by means of the feed wheel 12 to a subsequent separating device 13 in which the cover parts 4 and the base parts 3 are separated according to the illustration according to Fig. 2 in the vertical direction, i.e. transverse to the drawing plane of the Fig. 3 , can be removed from each other in a swivel movement described in more detail below.

[0027] The base parts 3 and cover parts 4 separated in this way are transferred from the separating device 13 to a subsequent insertion device 14, which in turn transfers the separated base parts 3 and cover parts 4 to a subsequent processing wheel 15. For this purpose, the processing wheel 15 is provided with a first, lower receiving ring 21 for the base parts 3 and a second, upper receiving ring 22 for the cover parts 4. The processing wheel 15 guides the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 past at least one processing station, here two processing stations 6, 7, which are only schematically indicated by way of example. After processing, the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 are transferred to a discharge station 8 of an insertion device 16.The placement device 16 forms pairs of base parts 3 and cover parts 4 and transfers them to a joining device 17, which places the cover parts 4 back onto the base parts 3 and, as closed objects 1, feeds them to further processing, such as sealing, packaging or the like, by means of a transfer wheel 18.

[0028] The device as a whole is designed for continuous, i.e., non-intermittent operation, at least in the region of the process wheel 15, wherein the process wheel 15 can be driven to rotate about a vertical axis of rotation 20 as indicated by an arrow 51. This means that the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 are continuously moved in the region of the process wheel 15 or are continuously guided past the processing stations 6, 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the processing stations 6, 7 only act on the base parts 3, while the cover parts 4 remain unprocessed. However, an embodiment may be expedient in which, alternatively or additionally, the cover parts 4 are also processed. By way of example, only two processing stations 6, 7 are indicated here. However, a different number may also be advantageous.

[0029] It may be expedient to discharge the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 at the discharge station 8 immediately after they have passed through the processing stations 6, 7 for the first time and to feed them to the joining device 17 by means of the discharge device 16. In this case, the feed wheel 12, the separating device 13, the insertion device 14, the discharge device 16, and the joining device 17 also operate continuously by rotating about essentially vertical axes of rotation. The objects 1 are thus continuously separated, fed, processed, discharged, and joined.

[0030] In the present case, however, the device is designed for multiple circulation of the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 by means of the process wheel 15. For this purpose, the process wheel 15 is first loaded with a certain number of base parts 3 and the same number of cover parts 4, after which the supply of new objects 1 is interrupted. Until this point in time, the feed wheel 12, the separating device 13, and the insertion device also operate continuously, i.e., not intermittently. During insertion, not all receiving positions of the process wheel 15 need to be occupied, and gaps can also remain free. However, preferably, all receiving positions of the process wheel 15 are loaded with base parts 3 and cover parts 4 without gaps, with 60 receiving positions each being available here, as an example.In the illustrated embodiment, a coating is first applied to the center area of ​​the base parts 3 at processing station 6, while the coating is dried in the subsequent processing station 7. This process is repeated multiple times until the coating is formed and dried to the desired extent. As soon as this has happened, the supply of base parts 3 and cover parts 4 present on the process wheel is discharged at the discharge station, forwarded by the discharge device 16 to the joining device 17, and joined there to form finished objects 1. From the point of discharge, the discharge device 16 and the joining device 17 also operate continuously, i.e., not intermittently.This is followed by a renewed loading of the continuously rotating process wheel 15 with base parts 3 and cover parts 4 according to the procedure described above, whereby a gapless loading is again possible.

[0031] Fig. 4 shows in an enlarged detail the device according to Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the separating device 13, the insertion device 14 and their engagement area in the process wheel 15. The same area is also in Fig. 5 with additional details highlighted. From the overview of the Fig. 4 und 5 The structural design and function are as follows: The separating device 13 comprises a first, lower separating wheel 37 ( Fig. 5 ) and one in Fig. 4 shown second, upper separating wheel 38, which is located directly above the first, lower separating wheel 37 ( Fig. 5 ). The second, upper separation wheel 38 is rotatably driven about a vertical axis of rotation 42 and comprises on its circumferential side approximately circular segment-shaped, radially outwardly open upper object holders 40. Analogously, the first, lower separation wheel 37 ( Fig. 5 ) can be driven to rotate around an upright, almost vertical axis of rotation 41, and is provided on its peripheral side with approximately circular segment-shaped lower object holders 39. The lower object holders 39 and the upper object holders 40 grip the objects 1 and separate them into base parts 3 and cover parts 4, as will be described further below in connection with Fig. 7 is described in more detail.

[0032] The insertion device 14 comprises a first, lower insertion wheel 25 with a vertical axis of rotation 29 and a second, upper insertion wheel 26 with a vertical axis of rotation 30. The lower, first insertion wheel 25 is provided on its circumference with approximately circular segment-shaped base holders 27, while the second, upper insertion wheel 26 is provided on its circumference with approximately circular segment-shaped cover holders 28.

[0033] The first receiving ring 21 and the second receiving ring 22 are concentric to the rotation axis 20 ( Fig. 3 ) of the process wheel 15 and, together with the process wheel 15, form a unit which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner and is driven in rotation together. Adapted to the height difference between the first, lower insertion wheel 25 and the second, upper insertion wheel 26, the second receiving ring 22 is higher than the first, lower receiving ring 21 by a corresponding amount, so that the first, lower receiving ring 21 can receive the base parts 3 from the first, lower insertion wheel 25, while the second, upper receiving ring 22 can receive the cover parts 4 from the second, upper insertion wheel 26. Radially on the outside, the first receiving ring 21 has a certain number of base receptacles 23 for the base parts 3, wherein in the exemplary embodiment shown, a total of 60 base receptacles 23 are provided, evenly distributed over the circumference. Analogously, the second, upper receiving ring 22 is provided with the same number of cover receptacles 24, which are open radially outwards, for the cover parts 4.

[0034] The first, lower receiving ring 21 is designed together with its base receptacles 23 in such a way that the base parts 3 received and held therein are arranged on a first radius r 1 relative to the axis of rotation 20 ( Fig. 3 ). Analogously, the second, upper receiving ring 22 with its cover receptacles 24 is designed such that the cover parts 4 held therein are located on a second radius r 2 which is smaller than the first radius r 1 . The difference between the two radii r 1 , r 2 is selected such that the radially inner cover parts 4 do not cover the radially further outward base parts 3 in any way, and that the processing stations 6, 7 ( Fig. 3 ) have free access to the base parts 3. One consequence of this is that, for a given rotational speed or angular velocity of the process wheel 15, the base parts 3 are moved at a circumferential speed v 1 corresponding to the first radius r 1 , while the cover parts 4 located further radially inward are moved at a correspondingly lower circumferential speed v 2 due to the smaller radius r 2 .

[0035] The remaining process speeds are aligned with these different peripheral speeds v 1 , v 2 as follows: In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rotational speeds of the second, upper insertion wheel 26 of the insertion device 14 and the process wheel 15 are coordinated with one another in such a way that they move the cover parts 4 at the same peripheral speed v 2 . The rotational speed of the separating device 13 or the upper second separating wheel 38 is also coordinated with this, according to which the objects 1 or the cover parts 4 are moved at a peripheral speed v 0 which is equal to the aforementioned peripheral speed v 2 .

[0036] The speed ratios in the area of ​​the lower separating wheel 37, the lower insertion wheel 25 and the lower receiving ring 21 are somewhat different. The rotational speed of the first, lower insertion wheel 25 is coordinated with the rotational speed of the process wheel 15 in such a way that both transport the base parts 3 at the same peripheral speed v 1 . This is, however, greater than the above-described peripheral speed v 2 of the cover parts 4. In contrast, the two separating wheels 37, 38 of the separating device 13 are rotated in accordance with the speed described below in connection with Fig. 8 following functional description, with the same diameter and the same rotational speed. The lower cutting wheel 37 therefore transports the base parts 3 at the same peripheral speed v 0 as the cover parts 4 are transported by the upper cutting wheel 38. It follows from this that the cover parts 4 are slower during transport in the lower cutting wheel 37 with the peripheral speed v 0 than subsequently in the lower insertion wheel 25 with the peripheral speed v 1 . When the base parts 3 are transferred from the lower cutting wheel 37 to the lower insertion wheel 25, there is a jump in speed from the initial peripheral speed v 0 to the subsequent peripheral speed v 2 .

[0037] In Fig. 5 It can therefore be seen that the base holders 27 are substantially, but not exactly, adapted to the circumferential contour of the base parts 3. Rather, the base holders 27 of the associated lower insertion wheel 25 are so larger in the circumferential direction than the respective base parts 3 that, during operation, they engage around the base parts 3 with a compensating play a. The same applies analogously to the lower object holders 39 of the lower separating wheel 37, which engage around the base parts 3 with a compensating play b acting in the circumferential direction. The compensating play a, in particular in conjunction with the compensating play b, enables the base parts 3 to be accelerated from their initial speed v 0 to the increased speed v 1 during the transfer from the lower separating wheel 37 to the lower insertion wheel 25.In the embodiment shown, such acceleration does not occur with the cover parts 4, so that the cover holders 28 of the upper insertion wheel 26 are adapted to the size and shape of the cover parts 4 without such compensating play. The same applies analogously to the upper object holders 40 of the upper separating wheel 38, which are adapted to the size and shape of the cover parts 4 without the aforementioned compensating play b. However, an additional wheel arrangement can also be provided for implementing the speed jump and can be arranged, for example, between the separating device 13 and the insertion device 14, or between the insertion device 14 and the process wheel 15, in which case the compensating play a, and possibly also the compensating play b, are used in an analogous manner.

[0038] According to the presentation Fig. 4 It can also be seen that the two insertion wheels 25, 26 each have an associated axis of rotation 29, 30. In the plan view of the embodiment shown, these axes of rotation 29, 30 are located on an imaginary, straight connecting line x, which passes through the axis of rotation 20 of the process wheel 15 ( Fig. 3 ) and the rotation axes 41, 42 of the separating wheels 37, 38. The two separating wheels 37, 38 have the same diameter and the same number of lower and upper object holders 39, 40, respectively, while the radius r 2 of the upper receiving ring 22 is smaller than the radius r 1 of the lower receiving ring 21. To bridge this radius difference, the second insertion wheel 26 has a diameter d 2 which is larger than a diameter d 1 of the first insertion wheel 25 by the difference between the first and second radii r 1 , r 2 . This ensures that the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 are received in a precise position by the separating device 13, as well as that they are transferred in a precise position to the first receiving ring 21 or to the smaller second receiving ring 22. Analogous to the aforementioned different diameters d 1 , d 2 , the number of cover holders 28 of the second insertion wheel 26 is larger than the number of base holders 27 of the first insertion wheel 25.In the illustrated embodiment, the second insertion wheel 26 is provided with twenty lid holders 28, while the first insertion wheel 25 is provided with only sixteen base holders 27. The number of lid holders 28 is thus four greater than the number of base holders 27. One consequence of this is that, as shown in FIG. Fig. 4 the individual base parts 3 come to lie in the direction of rotation 51 by two places in front of their associated cover parts 4 in the process wheel 15. However, within the scope of the invention, different configurations are also possible in which the axes of rotation 29, 30 of the insertion wheels 25, 26 are not located on the connecting line x, and wherein other diameters d 1 , d 2 and other numbers of base holders 27 and cover holders 28 are selected for geometric or kinematic adaptation.

[0039] Fig. 6 shows in an enlarged detail the device according to Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the joining device 17, the ejection device 16 and their interaction with the process wheel 15 in the area of ​​the discharge station 8. The discharge station 8 comprises lower ejection means 9 located in the area of ​​the first receiving ring 21 and upper ejection means 10 arranged in the area of ​​the upper receiving ring 22. The ejection means 9, 10 are each designed as pivot arms and positioned such that they are ineffective when pivoted in, and that they act on the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 when pivoted out. Accordingly, the pivoted-out lower ejection means 9 press the base parts 3 held in the lower receiving ring 1 radially outwards from their base receptacles 23 so that they reach the area of ​​action of the ejection device 16.The same applies analogously to the upper ejection means 10, which, in the pivoted-out state, push the cover parts 4 held in the second, upper receiving ring 22 radially outward from their cover receptacles 24 and transfer them into the ejection device 16. The lower ejection means 9 and the upper ejection means 10 can be controlled via a control unit (not shown here) in such a way that the base parts 3 and the associated cover parts 4, together with the process wheel 15, first perform several revolutions and are only then ejected.

[0040] Comparable to the insertion device 14 ( Fig. 4, 5 ) the dispensing device 16 comprises a first, lower dispensing wheel 31, which can be driven to rotate about a rotation axis 35, and a second, upper dispensing wheel 32, which can be driven to rotate about a rotation axis 36. The first, lower dispensing wheel 31 is provided on its circumference with radially outwardly open, circular-segment-shaped base holders 33, while the second, upper dispensing wheel 32 is provided on its circumference with radially outwardly open, approximately circular-segment-shaped cover holders 34. The two dispensing wheels 31, 32 have a height offset from one another that corresponds to the height offset of the second receiving ring 22 relative to the first receiving ring 21. The ejection wheels 31, 32 are arranged in such a way that they can receive the base parts 3 or cover parts 4 ejected at the discharge station 8 with their base holders 33 or cover holders 34.

[0041] The joining device 17 essentially corresponds in its basic structure to that described in connection with the Fig. 4 und 5 described separating device 13. From the overview of the Fig. 6 and 9 It follows that the joining device 17 comprises a first, lower joining wheel 43 with an upright, almost vertical axis of rotation 47 and a second, upper joining wheel 44 with a vertical axis of rotation 48. The two joining wheels 43, 44 are provided with lower and upper object holders 45, 46 on their outer circumferential sides, respectively, and have the same diameter. They are operated at the same speed, so that the base parts 3 and cover parts 4 held in the object holders 45, 46 are moved at the same circumferential speed v 3 .

[0042] The first, lower dispensing wheel 31 of the dispensing device 16 is adapted in its rotational speed to the rotational speed of the process wheel 15 in such a way that the base parts 3 delivered by the first, lower receiving ring 21 at the circumferential speed v 1 are transported further in the base holders 33 of the first, lower dispensing wheel 31 while maintaining this circumferential speed v 1 , i.e. without acceleration or deceleration. The rotational speed of the joining device 17 is also adapted to this in such a way that its circumferential speed v 3 is equal to the aforementioned circumferential speed v 1 . The base parts 3 are thus delivered by the lower joining wheel 43 ( Fig.9 ) and moved on.

[0043] Analogously, the rotational speed of the second, upper discharge wheel 32 is adapted to the rotational speed of the process wheel 15 in such a way that the cover parts 4 delivered by the second receiving ring 22 at the lower circumferential speed v 2 are taken over by the second, upper discharge wheel 32 while maintaining this circumferential speed v 2 and are transported further into their cover holder 34.

[0044] However, this second peripheral speed v 2 is lower than the peripheral speed v 3 of the joining device 17. When the cover parts 4 are transferred from the upper release wheel 32 to the upper joining wheel 44, there is a jump in speed in which the cover parts 4 are accelerated from the second peripheral speed v 2 to the third peripheral speed v 3. To enable this, the cover holders 34 of the second upper release wheel 32 are only approximately adapted to the peripheral contour of the cover parts 4. Although they are approximately circular segment-shaped in accordance with the diameter of the cover parts 4, they are larger than the cover parts 4 they hold so that during operation they grip around the cover parts 4 with a compensating play c that is effective in the direction of rotation.The same applies analogously to the upper object holders 46 of the upper joining wheel 44, which also grip the received cover parts 4 during operation with a compensating play d acting in the direction of rotation. The compensating play c, in particular in conjunction with the compensating play d, enables the acceleration of the cover parts 4 during the transfer from the cover holders 34 of the upper ejection wheel 32 to the upper object holders 46 of the upper joining wheel 44. Analogous to the area of ​​the insertion device 14 described above, an additional wheel arrangement for implementing the speed jump can also be provided here in the area of ​​the ejection device 16 and arranged, for example, between the process wheel 15 and the ejection device 16, or between the ejection device 16 and the joining device 17, in which case the compensating play c, and possibly also the compensating play d, are used in an analogous manner.

[0045] From the above statements it follows that the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 during their passage from the feed wheel 12 to the joining device 17 ( Fig. 3 ) either maintain their speed or accelerate, whereby the different circumferential speeds v 1 , v 2 of the receiving rings 21, 22 which are inevitably present due to the different radii r 1 , r 2 are compensated. In the preferred exemplary embodiment shown, the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 do not experience any deceleration. However, within the scope of the invention, speed compensation is also possible under the effect of a deceleration of the base parts 3 and / or the cover parts 4. In the present case, the speed jump is carried out in each case during the transfer from the separating device 13 to the inserting device 14 or from the releasing device 16 to the joining device 17. However, within the scope of the invention, it is also possible, by appropriately adjusting the speed and using a compensating play, to carry out the respective speed jump during the transfer to the process wheel 15 and / or during the transfer from the process wheel 15.

[0046] Unlike the insertion device 14, the insertion wheels 31, 32 here have, for example, the same number of base holders 33 and lid holders 34, respectively, whereby, likewise, twenty base holders 33 and twenty lid holders 34 are provided. Another difference to the insertion device 14 ( Fig. 4 ) is that the rotation axes 35, 36 are not directly between the rotation axes 47, 48 of the joining device 17 and the rotation axis 20 of the process wheel 15 ( Fig. 3 ). Rather, they are offset laterally and also offset from each other in the circumferential direction. This ensures, on the one hand, that the two release wheels 31, 32, with the same diameter, reach the effective range of the joining device 17 and also the effective range of the receiving rings 21, 22 located on different radii r 1 , r 2 . On the other hand, the offset of the rotation axes 35, 36 causes each cover part 4 to be returned to its original base part 3 or assigned to it. In connection with Fig. 4 It has already been described that the base parts 3 precede their associated cover parts 4 and two receiving positions. This precedence is reversed by the illustrated arrangement and design of the release wheels 31, 32. However, the same effect can also be achieved within the scope of the invention by a different positioning of the rotation axes 35, 36 of the release wheels 31, 32 with different diameters and different numbers of base holders 33 and cover holders 34.

[0047] Fig. 7 shows a plan view of a section of the device according to Fig. 3 in the area of ​​the feed wheel 12, the separating device 13, the inserting device 14, the discharging device 16, the joining device 17 and the transfer wheel 18. The feed wheel 12 has a rotational axis 52 and is functionally positioned in front of the separating device 13. The inserting device 14 functionally follows the separating device 13. In other words, the objects 1 ( Fig. 1 bis 3 ) first the feed wheel 12, then the separating device 13 and then the inserting device 14. Of the separating device 13, only the first, lower separating wheel 37 with its axis of rotation 41 is shown here, while of the inserting device 14 and the first, lower inserting wheel 25 with the associated axis of rotation 29 is shown.

[0048] There are also locations A and B, whose function will be explained below in connection with Fig. 8 The rotational axis 52 of the feed wheel 12, the rotational axis 41 of the lower separating wheel 37, the locations A, B and the rotational axis 29 of the lower insertion wheel 25 lie on a straight connecting line g 1 . From the synopsis with Fig. 4 It also follows that the rotational axis 42 of the upper separating wheel 38 and the rotational axis 30 of the upper insertion wheel 26 lie on this straight connecting line g 1.

[0049] The same applies to the dispensing device 16, the joining device 17 and the transfer wheel 18: The dispensing device 16 is functionally positioned in front of the joining device 17. The transfer wheel 18 has a rotation axis 53 and is functionally positioned behind the joining device 17. In other words, the objects 1 ( Fig. 1 bis 3 ) first the dispensing device 16, then the joining device 17 and then the transfer wheel 18. Of the dispensing device 16, only the first, lower dispensing wheel 31 with the associated rotational axis 35 is shown here, while of the joining device 17, only the first, lower joining wheel 43 with its rotational axis 47 is shown. In addition, there are locations C and D, whose function is explained below in connection with Fig. 9 The rotational axis 53 of the transfer wheel 18, the rotational axis 47 of the lower joining wheel 43, the locations C, D and the rotational axis 35 of the lower release wheel 31 lie on a straight connecting line g 2 . From the viewpoint of the Fig. 6 and 9 It also follows that the rotational axis 48 of the upper joining wheel 44 also lies on this straight connecting line g 2 .

[0050] Fig. 8 shows in a side view the separating device 13 after Fig. 3 with the two separating wheels 37, 38. It was mentioned above that the associated axes of rotation 41, 42 are approximately vertical. This means that at least one of the two axes of rotation 41, 42 is not exactly vertical. In the present case, the axis of rotation 42 of the upper separating wheel 38 is vertical, while the axis of rotation 41 of the lower separating wheel 37 is slightly tilted relative to the vertical. Between the two there is a tilt angle β, which is selected such that the lower and upper object holders 39, 40 have a minimum vertical height distance at a location A and a maximum vertical height distance from each other at a location B opposite the axes of rotation 41, 42. As a result of the Fig. 7 With the axis positioning described on the connecting line g 1, the location A of the minimum height distance borders on the guide wheel 12, while the location B of the maximum vertical height distance borders on the insertion device 14. At the location A of the minimum distance, the objects 1 are therefore taken over in the assembled state by the feed wheel 12, whereby the objects 1 are gripped by the lower object holders 39 on the base parts 3 and by the upper object holders 40 on the cover parts 4. During the subsequent rotary movement, the axial distance between the lower object holders 39 and the upper object holders 40 increases up to the aforementioned maximum, as a result of which the cover parts 4 and the base parts 3 are pulled or removed from one another as a result of a pivoting movement, primarily in the vertical direction.The tilt angle β is, for example, 1° and is in any case dimensioned such that the increase in the axial distance is sufficient to completely remove the cover parts 4 and the base parts 3 from each other, so that the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4 can be transferred separately from each other at location B of the maximum distance to the insertion device 14. The height difference between the insertion wheels 25, 26 of the insertion device 14, the height difference between the two receiving rings 21, 22 of the process wheel 15, and the height differences between the release wheels 31, 32 of the release device 16 are also adapted to the height offset of the cover parts 4 relative to the base parts 3 achieved in this way.

[0051] Fig. 9 shows in a side view the joining device 17 according to Fig. 3 , which is analogous to the separating device 13 according Fig. 8 The rotational axes 47, 48 of the two joining wheels 43, 44 are inclined to each other by a tilt angle γ. For example, the rotational axis 48 of the upper joining wheel 44 is vertical, while the rotational axis 47 of the lower joining wheel 43 is slightly tilted relative to the vertical. As a result, there is a location C with the maximum height separation of the lower and upper object holders 45, 46 and a location D with the minimum height separation of the lower and upper object holders 45, 46. As a result of the Fig. 7 With the axis positioning described on the connecting line g 2, the location C of the maximum height distance borders the release device 16, while the location D of the minimum vertical height distance borders the transfer wheel 18. The lower object holders 45 take over the base parts 3 from the release device 16 at the location of the maximum distance C. Since the axis of rotation 36 of the upper release wheel 32 is not located on the aforementioned connecting line g 2, the upper object holders 46 do not take over the cover parts 4 separated from the base parts 3 from the release device 16 directly at the location of the maximum distance C, but rather in sufficient proximity thereto.As they continue their rotation up to the location D of the minimum height distance, the object holders 45, 46, and thus also the base parts 3 and the cover parts 4, reduce their distance from one another such that the cover parts 4 are placed onto the base parts 3 in a pivoting movement, forming the finished objects 1. From there, they are finally transferred to the transfer wheel 18 at the location D of the minimum height distance and fed for further processing. The tilt angle γ here is equal to the tilt angle β according to . Fig. 8 and is 1°, but can also be different.

Claims

1. Device for separating, treating and rejoining multipiece objects (1) in continuous operation, wherein the objects (1) each have a bottom piece (3) and a cover piece (4) which is separable from the bottom piece, said device comprising a process wheel (15) drivable in rotation about a rotational axis (20) for receiving the bottom pieces (3) and the cover pieces (4) and for transporting them along at least one processing station (6, 7); a separating device (13) drivable in rotation for separating the cover pieces (4) from the bottom pieces (5); and an insert device (14) for taking the bottom pieces (3) and the cover pieces (4) from the separating device (13) and inserting the bottom pieces (3) and the cover pieces (4) in the process wheel (15); characterized in that the process wheel (15) has a first lower receiving ring (21) and a second upper receiving ring (22) which are jointly rotatable as a unit; wherein the first receiving ring (21) with a first radius (r1) is arranged concentrically to the rotational axis (20) and has a specific number of bottom receivers (23) for the bottom pieces (3); wherein the second receiving ring (22) with a second radius (r2) which is smaller than the first radius (r1) is arranged concentrically to the rotational axis (20) and has the same number of cover receivers (24) for the cover pieces (4); wherein the insert device (14) has a first lower insert wheel (25) with bottom holders (27) for the bottom pieces (3) distributed around the periphery, and a second upper insert wheel (26) with cover holders (28) for the cover pieces (4) distributed around the periphery; wherein a wheel assembly is arranged between the separating device (13) and the process wheel (15); wherein the wheel assembly has a first lower wheel with bottom holders for the bottom pieces (3) distributed around the periphery, and a second upper wheel with cover holders for the cover pieces (4) distributed around the periphery; wherein the bottom holders and / or the cover holders in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second wheel are larger than the respectively received bottom pieces (3) or cover pieces (4) such that, in operation, they surround the bottom pieces (3) or the cover pieces (4) with a compensation play.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wheel assembly is formed by the insert device (14) with the first lower insert wheel (25) and the second upper insert wheel (26); and in that the bottom holders (27) and / or the cover holders (28) in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second insert wheel (25, 26) are larger than the respectively received bottom pieces (3) or cover pieces (4) such that, in operation, they surround the bottom pieces (3) or the cover pieces (4) with a compensation play (a).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second upper insert wheel (26) of the insert device (14) and the second upper receiving ring (22) of the process wheel (15) are set to a same circumferential speed (v2) as one another and a same circumferential speed (v0) of the separating device (13); and in that the cover holders (28) of the second upper insert wheel (26) are adapted to the size of the cover pieces (4) without compensation play (a).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first lower insert wheel (25) of the insert device (14) and the first lower receiving ring (21) of the process wheel (15) are set to a same circumferential speed (v1) as one another; in that the bottom holders (27) are larger than the received bottom pieces (3) such that, in operation, they surround the bottom pieces (3) with the compensation play (a); and in that lower object holders (39) of the separating device (13) are larger than the received bottom pieces (3) such that, in operation, they surround the bottom pieces (3) with a compensation play (b).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the number of cover holders (28) of the second insert wheel (26) is greater, and in particular greater by four, than the number of bottom holders (27) of the first insert wheel (25).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the objects (1) each have a vertical axis (2), wherein the cover piece (4) is removable from the bottom piece (3) primarily in the direction of the vertical axis (2); wherein the separating device (13) has two separating wheels (37, 38) arranged one above the other and each with a rotational axis (41, 42); wherein the rotational axes (41, 42) of the separating wheels (37, 38) intersect one another and are tilted relative to one another by a tilt angle (β); wherein the lower separating wheel (37) has lower object holders (39) for the bottom pieces (3) distributed over the periphery, and wherein the upper separating wheel (38) has upper object holders (40) for the cover pieces (4) distributed over the periphery.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that a supply wheel (12) for individual objects (1) has a rotational axis (52) and is arranged in front of the separating device (13), in that in top view, the separating device (13) has a location (A) with minimal vertical spacing of the lower and upper object holders (39, 40) and a location (B) with maximal vertical spacing of the lower and upper object holders (39, 40); in that the first lower insert wheel (25) and the second upper insert wheel (26) of the insert device (14) each have a rotational axis (29, 30); and in that the rotational axis (52) of the supply wheel (12), the rotational axes (41, 42) of the separating wheels (37, 38), the locations (A, B) with minimal and maximal vertical spacing of the lower and upper object holders (39, 40), and the rotational axis (29, 30) of at least one insert wheel (25, 26), lie on a straight connecting line (g1).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device has a joining device (17) for joining together the separated bottom pieces (3) and cover pieces (4), and an extraction device (16) for removing the bottom pieces (3) and the cover pieces (4) from the process wheel (15) and for transferring the bottom pieces (3) and the cover pieces (4) to the joining device (17); wherein the extraction device (16) has a first lower extraction wheel (31) with bottom holders (33) for the bottom pieces (3) distributed over the periphery and a second upper extraction wheel (32) with cover holders (34) for the cover pieces (4) distributed over the periphery; wherein a wheel assembly is arranged between the process wheel (15) and the joining device (17); wherein the wheel assembly comprises a first lower wheel with bottom holders for the bottom pieces (3) distributed over the periphery and a second upper wheel with cover holders for the cover pieces (4) distributed over the periphery; wherein the bottom holders and / or the cover holders in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second wheel are larger than the respectively received bottom pieces (3) or cover pieces (4) such that, in operation, they surround the bottom pieces (3) or the cover pieces (4) with a compensation play.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the wheel assembly is formed by the extraction device (16) with the first lower extraction wheel (31) and the second upper extraction wheel (32), and in that the bottom holders (27) and / or the cover holders (28) in the circumferential direction of the respectively assigned first or second extraction wheel (31, 32) are larger than the respectively received bottom pieces (3) or cover pieces (4) such that, in operation, they surround the bottom pieces (3) or the cover pieces (4) with a compensation play (c).

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first lower extraction wheel (31) of the extraction device (16) and the first lower receiving ring (21) of the process wheel (15) are set to a same circumferential speed (v1) as one another and to a same circumferential speed (v3) of the joining device (17); and in that the bottom holders (33) of the first lower extraction wheel (31) are adapted to the size of the bottom pieces (3) without compensation play (c).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the second upper extraction wheel (32) of the extraction device (16) and the second upper receiving ring (22) of the process wheel (15) are set to a same circumferential speed (v2) as one another; in that the cover holders (34) are larger than the received cover pieces (4) such that, in operation, they surround the cover pieces (4) with the compensation play (c); and in that upper object holders (46) of the joining device (17) are larger than the received cover pieces (4) such that, in operation, they surround the cover pieces (4) with a compensation play (d).

12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the number of bottom holders (33) of the first extraction wheel (31) is equal to the number of cover holders (34) of the second extraction wheel (32).

13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the objects (1) each have a vertical axis (2), wherein the cover piece (4) can be placed on the bottom piece (3) primarily in the direction of the vertical axis (2); wherein the joining device (17) has two joining wheels (43, 44) arranged one above the other and each with a rotational axis (47, 48), wherein the rotational axes (47, 48) of the joining wheels (37, 38) intersect one another and are tilted relative to one another by a tilt angle (γ), wherein the lower joining wheel (37) has lower object holders (45) for the bottom pieces (3) distributed over the periphery, and wherein the upper joining wheel (38) has upper object holders (46) for the cover pieces (4) distributed over the periphery.

14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that a transfer wheel (18) for individual objects (1) has a rotational axis (53) and is arranged behind the joining device (17), in that in top view, the joining device (17) has a location (C) with maximal vertical spacing of the lower and upper object holders (45, 46) and a location (D) with minimal vertical spacing of the lower and upper object holders (45, 46); in that the first lower extraction wheel (31) and the second upper extraction wheel (32) of the extraction device (16) each have a rotational axis (35, 36); and in that the rotational axis (53) of the transfer wheel (18), the rotational axes (47, 48) of the joining wheels (43, 44), the locations (C, D) with minimal and maximal vertical spacing of the lower and upper object holders (45, 46), and the rotational axis (35, 36) of at least one extraction wheel (31, 32), lie on a straight connecting line (g2).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that an output lock station (8) is positioned in the circumferential region of the process wheel (15), which has lower output lock means (9) and upper output lock means (10), wherein the lower output lock means (9) can be brought into active connection on the bottom pieces (3) situated in the first receiving ring (21), and wherein the upper output lock means (10) can be brought into active connection on the cover pieces (4) situated in the second receiving ring (22).

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the lower output lock means (9) and the upper output lock means (10) can be controlled such that the bottom pieces (3) and the assigned cover pieces (4) execute multiple revolutions together with the process wheel (15).