CLOSING CONTAINERS WITH CONTAINER LOCKS

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for sealing containers for a container treatment plant. The invention also relates to a method for operating a device for sealing containers. Technical background

[0002] Container treatment plants for treating containers may have so-called sealers, with which the containers can be sealed after filling.

[0003] Conventional techniques for applying closures to containers do not take into account the relative orientation or rotation between the closure and the container. This can be disadvantageous, as it makes it impossible to ensure a functionally or aesthetically preferable orientation of the closure on the container.

[0004] DE 527 005 C discloses a device for aligning bottles with metal lever or swing-top closures on machines for processing bottles, such as labeling machines, which are moved on a rotary table with incremental switching. Alignment is achieved by means of carriers that are mounted coaxially with the bottle heads, engage the closure clips via recesses, and are rotatable and axially movable during the movement of the rotary table. At a holding point, a contact element located outside the rotary table electrically controls the lifting of the carriers from the bottle head when it touches the metal clip of the bottle closure due to the bottle already being in the correct position.

[0005] DE 41 20 887 A1 discloses a labeling machine for containers with a rotary table that has an infeed and outfeed star wheel and, on its outer edge, receiving positions formed by rotary-controlled turntables and clamping heads for the containers held therein in a rotationally fixed manner by axial clamping, and to which at least one labeling station is assigned on its circumference between the infeed and outfeed star wheel. A further rotary table is arranged upstream of the infeed star wheel, with receiving positions formed by rotary-controlled turntables and clamping heads on its outer edge for the containers held therein in a rotationally fixed manner by axial clamping. The rotation control of each turntable is designed for rotation distributed over the entire transport path of the container in the further rotary table.Each mounting position on the rotary table is assigned a locking element that engages the container or turntable either positively or non-positively. This locking element becomes effective based on a mark on the container, blocking its rotation. The locking element is a spring-loaded pawl that interacts with a notch or projection on the container.

[0006] WO 2016 / 026035 A1 discloses a method for attaching a closure to a container. The method may include: identifying a feature on the closure that is representative of an orientation of the closure, and identifying a feature on the container that is representative of an orientation of the container. The method may then also include determining the orientations of the closure and the container from the identification of the feature on the closure and the feature on the container. The method may also include determining whether an adjustment in the orientation of the closure relative to the container is required to bring the closure and the container into a suitable initial orientation, and then making the necessary adjustment to the orientation to bring the closure and the container into the suitable initial orientation.

[0007] CN 110 835 076 A discloses a method for aligning lids. By rotating the lid body, the direction of the lid body is adjusted before the lid pressing, so that the direction of the lid body and the direction of the bottle body exhibit greater consistency.

[0008] WO 2010 / 022818 A1 relates to a device for closing containers, which includes a feeding device. A closure element is fed into the container via the feeding device. To ensure that the closure elements are always applied in the same orientation, it is proposed that the feeding device include a lid detection system which captures the random position of the closure element. The feeding device is designed such that the closure element is held in its random position and cannot be rotated in its circumferential direction, thus allowing it to be transported.

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of creating a device and a method with which misalignments of container closures on containers can be prevented in a simple manner, or which make it possible to apply a container closure to a container in a desired orientation. Summary of the invention

[0010] The problem is solved by a device having the features of independent claim 1 and a method having the features of independent claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for closing containers for a container treatment plant. The device comprises (at least) one closing station that is movable for changing the rotational position of a container closure and for closing a container with the closure. The device comprises (at least) a closure detection device arranged for detecting the rotational position of the container closure positioned in the closing station (e.g., in or on a container closure holder of the closing station).

[0012] Advantageously, the device allows for alignment between the container closure and the container. Each container closure can be individually aligned or rotated to the respective container. This preferably enables a predetermined alignment between the container and the closure to be achieved during the closing process, even if the container closures are fed to the closing station in an unoriented manner. The predetermined alignment can, for example, be chosen such that the open container closure does not impede pouring from the container.

[0013] Preferably, the closing station is rotatable for changing the rotational position of the container closure, preferably about its own vertical axis and / or by means of a drive unit of the closing station.

[0014] Preferably, the closing station for closing the container by pressing the container closure onto the container is movable.

[0015] Preferably, the container closure can be transported to the closure station in a random rotational position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the shutter detection device is a non-contact, preferably optical, detection device. Alternatively or additionally, the shutter detection device includes a light barrier, a laser sensor, an LED sensor, a distance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a camera. This advantageously enables a reliable, easy-to-install, and wear-free design of the detection device.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the closure detection device can detect a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab or a profile (e.g., notch, groove, projection, etc.), or a marking on the container closure positioned in the closing station. This allows for simple referencing of the container closure's rotational position when, for example, the geometric feature or marking is detected by the closure detection device. Advantageously, this also eliminates the need for complex recognition and / or image processing algorithms for detecting the container closure's rotational position.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the closure detection device is positioned such that a detection area (e.g., radial) of the closure detection device runs essentially tangentially to an outer circumference of the container closure positioned in the closing station, preferably for detecting a geometric feature of the container closure that projects from or is recessed relative to the outer circumference. Advantageously, this also allows for simple referencing of the rotational position of the container closure when, for example, the projecting or recessed geometric feature enters or passes through the detection area. This also eliminates the need for complex recognition and / or image processing algorithms for detecting the rotational position of the container closure.

[0019] In another embodiment, the closing station has a (for example, active or passive) container closure holder, preferably a container closure gripper, for holding the container closure, wherein the container closure holder is rotatable about its own vertical axis to change the rotational position of the container closure (for example, by means of a drive unit of the closing station and / or the device).

[0020] According to the invention, the device (e.g., by means of a control unit) is configured to detect the rotational position of the container closure in the closing station by changing its position (for example, by means of the closing station and / or by rotating it about a vertical axis of the closing station) until a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab or a profile (e.g., notch, groove, projection, etc.), or a marking of the container closure enters or passes through a (for example, radial) detection area of ​​the closure detection device. Advantageously, the rotational position of the container closure can be referenced in this way, or the container closure can be rotated into a reference rotational position.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the device also includes a container detection device arranged to detect the container's rotational position, preferably upstream of the closure station. Optionally, the container detection device can be used to detect a geometric feature, preferably a handle or profile (e.g., notch, groove, projection, etc.), or a marking on the container, particularly preferably by means of a camera. Advantageously, this allows the device to apply container closures to containers with random rotational positions in a desired relative orientation between the closure and the container.

[0022] Preferably, the container can be transported to the sealing station in a random rotational position.

[0023] In another embodiment, the device (e.g., by means of a control unit) is configured to move the closing station to change the rotational position of the container closure depending on a detection by the closure detection device and, optionally, depending on a detection by the container detection device. Preferably, the device (e.g., by means of a control unit) can further be configured to close the container with the container closure in its changed rotational position, preferably such that the container closure and the container are aligned in a predetermined (e.g., relative) orientation to each other.

[0024] In one embodiment, the device (e.g., by means of a control unit) is configured to determine (e.g., calculate) the required rotational position change of the container closure to achieve a predetermined (e.g., relative) alignment between the container closure and the container, based on detection by the closure detection device and the container detection device. Preferably, the device (e.g., by means of a control unit) can further be configured to move the closure station to change the rotational position of the container closure based on the determined required rotational position change, preferably such that the container closure and the container are aligned in the predetermined (e.g., relative) orientation relative to each other.Optionally, the device (for example by means of a control unit) can also be configured to close the container with the container closure changed in its rotational position, preferably in such a way that the container closure and the container are aligned in the predetermined (e.g. relative) orientation to each other.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the device also includes a capping carousel comprising the capping station and / or the cap detection device. Preferably, the capping station and the cap detection device can be arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the capping carousel (e.g., directly adjacent to each other). Alternatively or additionally, the capping station and the cap detection device can be supported by a rotatable, preferably ring-shaped, carrier (e.g., a carrier plate) of the capping carousel (e.g., on an upper surface of the carrier).

[0026] Preferably, the capping carousel has several capping detection devices as disclosed herein and / or several capping stations as disclosed herein.

[0027] Preferably, the multiple closure detection devices and the multiple closure stations can be arranged side by side in a circumferential direction, particularly preferably alternating.

[0028] It is possible that the container detection device is located upstream of the capping carousel, for example on a transport device such as a transport star or a linear conveyor.

[0029] It is also possible that the device is included in a container treatment plant for manufacturing, cleaning, testing, filling, closing, labeling, printing and / or packaging containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid foodstuffs.

[0030] For example, the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, boxes, vials, etc.

[0031] Preferably, the term "control unit" can refer to electronics (e.g., implemented as a driver circuit or with microprocessor(s) and data storage) and / or mechanical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic control systems, which, depending on their design, can perform control tasks, regulation tasks, and / or processing tasks. Although the term "control" is used here, it can also appropriately encompass or refer to "regulation" or "control with feedback" and / or "processing."

[0032] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for operating a device for closing containers, preferably as disclosed herein. The method comprises detecting the rotational position of a container closure positioned in a closing station by means of a closure detection device and changing the rotational position of the container closure by moving (e.g., rotating) the closing station (for example, about a vertical axis of the closing station). The method further comprises closing the container with the container closure in its changed rotational position by means of the closing station. Advantageously, the same advantages can be achieved with the method as have already been described herein with reference to the device.

[0033] According to the invention, detecting the rotational position of the container closure involves changing the rotational position of the container closure until a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab or a profile (e.g., notch, groove, projection, etc.), or a marking of the container closure enters or passes through a (for example, radially shaped) detection area of ​​the closure detection device. Advantageously, this allows the rotational position of the container closure to be referenced or the container closure to be rotated into a reference rotational position.

[0034] In a further embodiment, the method also includes detecting the rotational position of the container using a container detection device. The rotational position of the container closure is changed depending on the detected rotational position of the container. Preferably, the detection of the container's rotational position can involve detecting a geometric feature, preferably a handle of the container or a profile (e.g., notch, groove, projection, etc.) of the container, or a marking of the container using the container detection device, preferably a camera.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the method also includes determining (e.g., calculating) a required change in the rotational position of the container closure to achieve a predetermined (e.g., relative) alignment between the container closure and the container, depending on the detection of the rotational position of the container closure and the detection of the rotational position of the container (for example, by means of a control unit of the device). Preferably, the change in the rotational position of the container closure can be achieved by moving (e.g., rotating) the closure station depending on the determined required change in rotational position, preferably such that the container closure and the container are aligned in the predetermined (e.g., relative) orientation relative to each other.

[0036] In one embodiment, the container has a handle on its body. The container closure is a hinged closure or flip-top lid, preferably with a tear-off tab. The predetermined relative orientation is such that the hinged closure or flip-top lid opens (e.g., folds) towards the handle. This advantageously prevents spillage when pouring from the container over or onto the open lid, which would be possible, for example, if the hinged closure or flip-top lid opened away from the handle.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the detection of the rotational position of the container closure includes the detection of a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab or a profile (e.g. notch, groove, projection, etc.), or a marking of the container closure by means of the closure detection device.

[0038] In another embodiment, a (e.g. radial) detection area of ​​the closure detection device runs essentially tangentially to an outer circumference of the container closure positioned in the closure station, preferably for detecting a geometric feature of the container closure that projects from or is set back from the outer circumference (e.g. tear-off tab, projection, notch, gap, groove, etc.). Brief description of the characters

[0039] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a section of a container treatment plant for treating containers; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a container without a container closure; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a container with a container closure; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a container closure; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a device for closing containers according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a perspective detail view of detail A from Figure 5 ; and Figure 7, a side view of a container closure bracket.

[0040] The embodiments shown in the figures are at least partially identical, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and, to avoid repetition, reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures for their explanation. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0041] Figure 1 shows a section of a container treatment plant 10 for treating containers 12 (see Figures 2 and 3 ) or their container closures 14 (see Figures 3 and 4 ).

[0042] The container 12 can have any shape. Preferably, however, the container 12 is a container with a handle 13, which can be arranged on an outer shell or circumference of the container 12. Preferably, the container 12 is equipped with a handle 13 only on one side. The handle 13 can, for example, be integrated into the body of the container 12. It is also possible, for example, that the container 12 has a marking, for example in the form of a label.

[0043] The container closure 14 can have any shape. Preferably, however, the container closure 14 is a hinged closure or flip-top lid, as for example in Figure 4The container closure 14 can have a tear-off tab 15. The tear-off tab 15 can prevent the container closure 14 from being opened, e.g., unfolded, if the tear-off tab 15 has not yet been torn off. If the tear-off tab 15 has been torn off, the container closure 14 can be opened, e.g., unfolded, and closed, e.g., folded shut. The tear-off tab 15 can be located on an outer circumference or outer surface of the container closure 14. The tear-off tab 15 can protrude beyond the outer circumference. It is also possible, for example, that the container closure 14 has a marking, for example, in the form of a label.

[0044] The container treatment system 10 has a device 20 for closing the containers 12 with the container closures 14. Preferably, the container treatment system 10 may additionally have a filling device 16 and / or a transport device 18. It is possible that the container treatment system 10 has at least one further device (not shown) for treating the containers 12, e.g., for manufacturing, cleaning, testing, labeling, printing, and / or packaging the containers 12.

[0045] Devices 16, 18, and 20 are preferably designed as rotary devices. However, it is also possible that at least one of the devices 16, 18, and 20 is designed differently. For example, filling device 16 can be a linear filler, transport device 18 a linear transport device, and / or device 20 a linear capper.

[0046] The filling device 16 can fill the containers 12, preferably with a liquid or pasty medium. The filling device 16 is preferably designed as a filling carousel. The filling device can have several filling valves for simultaneously filling several containers 12. For example, the filling valves can be arranged around the circumference of the filling device 16, which is designed as a filling carousel. The filling device 16 can be arranged upstream of the transport device 18 and / or the device 20 with respect to a container flow.

[0047] The transport device 18 can transport the containers 12 through the container handling system 10. The transport device 18 can connect the filling device 16 and the device 20. Preferably, the transport device 18 can be arranged downstream of the filling device 16 and / or upstream of the device 20 with respect to a container flow. The transport device 18 can, for example, have at least one transport star wheel and / or at least one linear conveyor. Preferably, the transport device 18 transports the containers 12 to the device 20 in a random or disordered rotational position. The transport device 18 can be functionally assigned to the device 20 or considered a component of the device 20.

[0048] Optionally, the transport device 18 can be configured to loosely place the container closures 14 onto the transported containers 12. The transport device 18 can then transport the loosely placed container closures 14, along with the containers 12, to the device 20. For loosely placing the container closures 14, the transport device 18 can, for example, have at least one so-called towing shoe 22, as shown schematically with a dotted box in the figure. Figure 1 is marked.

[0049] Alternatively, the container closures 14 can be fed separately from the containers 12 to the device 20, e.g. by means of a suitable transport device and / or a so-called closure trough.

[0050] It is possible that a container detection device 24 is also included.

[0051] The container detection device 24 can, for example, be arranged in the area of ​​the transport device 18 or in the area of ​​the device 20. The container detection device 24 can be functionally assigned to the device 20 or be considered a component of the device 20.

[0052] The container detection device 24 can be configured to detect the respective rotational position of the containers 12. For example, the container detection device 24 can detect the respective rotational position of the containers 12 transported by the transport device 18 with a random or unordered rotational position.

[0053] For example, the container detection device 24 can detect a geometric feature or a marking of the container 12 for detecting the rotational position of the containers 12. The geometric feature could, for example, be the handle 13 (see Figures 2 and 3) or a profile, such as a notch, a groove, a protrusion, etc. The marking can be, for example, a mark or something similar.

[0054] Preferably, the container detection device 24 can detect the rotational position of the containers 12 without contact, and particularly preferably optically. For example, the container detection device 24 can be configured as a camera. Using image recognition applied to a camera image, the rotation angle or rotational position of the container 12 can be detected or determined. The image recognition can, for example, be configured to detect the handle 13 of the container 12 in the image and thus infer the rotational position of the container 12.

[0055] The device 20 can close the containers 12 with the container closures 14. The device 20 has at least one closing station 26 and at least one closure detection device 28. It is possible that the at least one closing station 26 and the at least one closure detection device 28 rotate with the device 20 during operation.

[0056] The sealing station 26 is movable to change the rotational position of a container closure 14 positioned within it. For example, the sealing station 26 can be rotatable about its own vertical axis to change the rotational position of the container closure 14. The container closure 14 can be fed into the sealing station 26 for positioning, for example, by the sealing station receiving the container 12 with the container closure 14 already loosely attached (see, for example, the explanations regarding the towing shoe 22). Alternatively, the sealing station 26 can receive the container closure 14 separately from the container 12, for example, via a sealing chute and / or a separate container closure conveyor.

[0057] The sealing station 26 can have a container closure holder for holding a container closure 14. The container closure holder can, for example, be designed as a container closure gripper with several movable gripping arms. To change the rotational position of the container closure 14 positioned in the sealing station 26, the container closure holder can, for example, be rotatable about its own vertical axis, preferably driven by its own drive unit.

[0058] It is possible that the sealing station 26 also has a device for holding and / or supporting the container 12 to be sealed. This device can, for example, hold and / or support the container 12 at its neck, body, and / or bottom. The device can take over the container 12 from the transport device 18. It is also possible that the sealing station 26 does not itself hold or support the containers 12. Instead, the containers 12 can, for example, simply be conveyed past the sealing station 26 by the transport device 18 for sealing.

[0059] The sealing station 26 is movable for sealing the container 12 with the container closure 14. For example, the sealing station 26 can press the container closure 14 onto the container 12. The sealing station 26 can, for example, have a plunger for pressing on the container closure 14. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing station 26 can, for example, press the container closure 14 onto the container 12 using a container closure gripper.

[0060] The closure detection device 28 is arranged to detect the rotational position of the container closure 14 positioned in the closing station 26. Preferably, the closure detection device 28 can be a non-contact, preferably optical, detection device. It is possible that the closure detection device 28 comprises, for example, a light barrier, a laser sensor, an LED sensor, a distance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or a camera.

[0061] To detect the rotational position of the container closure 14 positioned in the closing station 26, the closure detection device 28 preferably detects a geometric feature or a marking of the container closure 14. The geometric feature can, for example, be the tear-off tab 15 or a profile, such as a notch, a groove, or a projection, of the container closure 14. The marking can, for example, also be a label.

[0062] The closure detection device 28 is particularly preferably positioned such that a preferably radial detection area of ​​the closure detection device 28 runs essentially tangentially to an outer circumference or outer shell of the container closure 14 positioned in the closing station 26. Advantageously, this allows a geometric feature of the container closure 14 that projects from or is recessed from the outer circumference, for example the tear-off tab 15, to be easily detected by the closure detection device 28 in order to detect the rotational position of the container closure 14.

[0063] Preferably, the device 20 has several sealing stations 26 and / or several sealing detection devices 28. For example, a number of sealing stations 26 can correspond to a number of sealing detection devices 28. For example, the several sealing stations 26 can be arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of a sealing carousel 30 of the device 20. Alternatively or additionally, the several sealing detection devices 28 can be arranged at equal intervals around the circumference of a sealing carousel 30 of the device 20. Preferably, the sealing stations 26 and the sealing detection devices 28 are arranged alternately around the circumference of a sealing carousel of the device 20. Preferably, each of the several sealing stations 26 is assigned one of the several sealing detection devices 28.The closure detection device 28 can preferably be arranged directly next to the associated closure station 26.

[0064] However, it is also possible, for example, that the device 20 has several closing stations 26 and only one closure detection device 28. This closure detection device 28 can be positioned such that it can detect the rotational positions of all container closures 14 positioned in the closing stations 26. For example, the closure detection device 28 can be stationary, and the closing stations 26 can pass through a detection area of ​​the closure detection device 28 one after the other during operation of the device 20.

[0065] An exemplary embodiment of the device 20 is described below with reference to the Figures 4 to 6 described.

[0066] The device 20 can have a rotatable capping carousel 30 with several capping stations 26 and several cap detection devices 28. For clarity, in Figure 4 Only one of the locking stations 26 is shown.

[0067] The closing stations 26 can each be rotated about their own vertical axis by means of a drive unit (not shown) in order to change the rotational position of the respective container closure 14 held in place. The drive units can, for example, be arranged above or next to each closing station 26.

[0068] The sealing stations 26 and the sealing detection devices 28 can be supported by a carrier 32 of the sealing carousel 30. The carrier 32 can, for example, be plate-shaped and / or ring-shaped. The sealing stations 26 and the sealing detection devices 28 can, for example, be supported on the upper surface of the carrier 32. The carrier 32 can rotate during operation of the sealing carousel 30. The sealing stations 26 and the sealing detection devices 28 can rotate together with the carrier 32.

[0069] The sealing stations 26 can each have a container closure holder 34 for holding a container closure 14. For example, the container closure holder 34 can be configured as a container closure gripper. The container closure gripper can be active or passive. The container closure gripper can, for example, have several gripping arms. The gripping arms can clamp the container closure 14 between them, for example, at the free ends of the gripping arms. The number of gripping arms can be, for example, 2, 3, or 4.

[0070] In a passive design, the container closure gripper can hold or grip the respective container closure 14 by means of elastic preload. In an active design, an actuator or other actuating mechanism can be provided to actuate the container closure gripper to grasp and / or release the container closure 14.

[0071] Each of the sealing stations 26 can be assigned one of the sealing detection devices 28. The sealing detection device 28 can be arranged next to the respective sealing station 26. The sealing detection device 28 can be arranged at the same level as a receiving space of the respective sealing station 26 for receiving the container closure 14.

[0072] In the Figure 6 and 7The figure shows that the closure detection device 28 is positioned and oriented such that a detection area 36 of the closure detection device 28 is substantially tangential to the outer circumference of the container closure 14 held in the closing station 26. The detection area 36 is preferably radial in shape. For example, the detection area 36 can be formed by a laser beam, light beam, LED beam, or ultrasonic beam emitted by the closure detection device 28.

[0073] This enables, for example, the closure detection device 28 to detect the tear-off tab 15, namely when the container closure 14 or the sealing station 26 / the container closure holder 34 is in a specific rotational position. This allows, for example, the rotational position of the container closure 14 to be referenced by rotating the container closure 14 or the sealing station 26 / the container closure holder 34 about its own vertical axis until the tear-off tab 15 is within or enters the detection area 36.

[0074] The following is an example of the operation of the container treatment plant 10 or the device 20 with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 described. The operation can be controlled and / or monitored by a control unit of the device 20.

[0075] During operation of the container treatment plant 10 or the device 20, the closure detection device 28 detects the rotational position of the container closure 14 positioned in the closure station 26. The closure station 26 moves to change the rotational position of the container closure 14. The closure station 26 then closes the container 12 with the container closure 14 in its changed rotational position.

[0076] The operation may include further optional steps, which are explained below.

[0077] To detect the rotational position of the container closure 14 positioned in the closing station 26, the closing station 26 can, for example, rotate the container closure 14 until the tear-off tab 15 enters or passes through the detection area 36. The closure detection device 28 can then detect the tear-off tab 15 in a specific rotational position (e.g., reference rotational position) of the container closure 14. Consequently, when the closure detection device 28 detects the tear-off tab 15, the container closure 14 is in a reference rotational position. This allows the rotational position of the container closure 14 to be referenced.

[0078] For example, the rotational position of the container 12 can be detected before closing by means of the container detection device 24. Detection can, for example, take place upstream of the capping carousel 30. The container detection device 24 can detect the rotational position of the container 12, for example, by detecting the position and / or rotational position of the handle 13.

[0079] The rotational position of the container closure 14 can be changed by means of the closing station 26 depending on the detected rotational position of the container 12.

[0080] For example, a change in the rotational position required for the container closure 14 to achieve a predetermined alignment between the container closure 14 and the container 12 can be carried out depending on the detection of the rotational position of the container closure 14 by means of the closure detection device 28 and depending on the detection of the rotational position of the container 12 by means of the container detection device 24.

[0081] The closing station 26 / container closure holder 34 can move, preferably rotate, the container closure 14 positioned therein, depending on the required change in rotational position. The closing station 26 / container closure holder 34 can close the container 12 with the container closure 14, which has been moved depending on the determined, required change in rotational position.

[0082] The Figure 3Figure 1 shows a preferred, predetermined orientation between the container closure 14 and the container 12. This predetermined orientation can be such that the container closure 14 can be opened or folded towards the handle 13. This prevents, for example, a filling medium from the container 12 from running over the container closure 14 when pouring from the open container 12 by gripping the handle 13.

[0083] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, the scope of protection being defined by the following claims. Reference symbol list

[0084] 10 Container handling system 12 Container 13 Handle 14 Container closure 15 Tear-off tab 16 Filling device 18 Transport device 20 Device for closing containers 22 Towing shoe 24 Container detection device 26 Closing station 28 Closure detection device 30 Closing carousel 32 Carrier 34 Container closure holder 36 Detection area

Claims

1. An apparatus (20) for closing containers (12) for a container processing facility (10), comprising: a closing station (26) which can be moved to change a rotational position of a container closure (14) and to close a container (12) using the container closure (14); and a closure detection device (28) which is arranged to detect the rotational position of the container closure (14) positioned in the closing station (26), it being possible for a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab (15) or a profiling, or a marking of the container closure (14) positioned in the closing station (26) to be detected by means of the closure detection device (28) for detecting the rotational position of the container closure (14), characterized in that the apparatus (20) is configured to change the rotational position of the container closure (14) positioned in the closing station (26) in order to detect the rotational position of the container closure positioned in the closing station (46) until a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab (15) or a profiling, or a marking of the container closure (14) penetrates into or passes through a detection region (36) of the closure detection device (28).

2. The apparatus (20) according to claim 1, wherein: the closure detection device (28) is a contactless, preferably optical, detection device; and / or the closure detection device (28) comprises a light barrier, a laser sensor, an LED sensor, a distance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor or a camera.

3. The apparatus (20) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the closure detection device (28) is positioned such that a detection region (36) of the closure detection device (28) extends substantially tangentially to an outer circumference of the container closure (14) positioned in the closing station (26), preferably in order to detect a geometric feature of the container closure (14) that protrudes from the outer circumference or is set back with respect to the outer circumference.

4. The apparatus (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the closing station (26) has a container closure holder (34), preferably a container closure gripper, for holding the container closure (14), wherein the container closure holder (34) is rotatable about its own vertical axis in order to change the rotational position of the container closure (14).

5. The apparatus (20) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a container detection device (24) which is arranged to detect a rotational position of the container (12), preferably upstream of the closing station (26), wherein, optionally: a geometric feature, preferably a handle (13) of the container (12) or a profiling of the container (12), or a marking of the container (12) can be detected by means of the container detection device (24) for detecting the rotational position of the container (12), particularly preferably by means of a camera.

6. The apparatus (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the apparatus (20) is configured to: - move the closing station (26) to change the rotational position of the container closure (14) on the basis of a detection by the closure detection device (28) and optionally on the basis of a detection by a container detection device (24), and preferably - close the container (12) using the container closure (14) changed in the rotational position, preferably in such a way that the container closure (14) and the container (12) are aligned with one another in a predetermined alignment.

7. The apparatus (20) according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein: the apparatus (20) is configured to: - determine, on the basis of a detection by the closure detection device (28) and on the basis of a detection by the container detection device (24), a required change in the rotational position of the container closure (14) in order to achieve a predetermined alignment between the container closure (14) and the container (12), and - move the closing station (26) to change the rotational position of the container closure (14) on the basis of the determined required change in the rotational position, preferably in such a way that the container closure (14) and the container (12) are aligned with one another in the predetermined alignment, and optionally - close the container (12) using the container closure (14) changed in the rotational position, preferably in such a way that the container closure (14) and the container (12) are aligned with one another in the predetermined alignment.

8. The apparatus (20) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: a closing carousel (30) which comprises the closing station (26) and the closure detection device (28), wherein preferably: the closing station (26) and the closure detection device (28) are arranged next to one another in a circumferential direction of the closing carousel (30); and / or the closing station (26) and the closure detection device (28) are carried by a rotatable, preferably annular, support (32) of the closing carousel (30).

9. A method for operating an apparatus (20) for closing containers (12), preferably according to any of the preceding claims, comprising: detecting a rotational position of a container closure (14) positioned in a closing station (26) by means of a closure detection device (28), wherein detecting the rotational position of the container closure (14) comprises changing the rotational position of the container closure (14) until a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab (15) or a profiling, or a marking of the container closure (14) penetrates into or passes through a detection region (36) of the closure detection device (28); changing the rotational position of the container closure (14) by moving the closing station (26); and closing the container (12) using the container closure (14) changed in the rotational position by means of the closing station (26).

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: detecting a rotational position of the container (12) by means of a container detection device (24), wherein the rotational position of the container closure (14) is changed on the basis of the detected rotational position of the container (12), wherein preferably: detecting the rotational position of the container (12) comprises detecting a geometric feature, preferably a handle (13) of the container (12) or a profiling of the container (12), or a marking of the container (12) by means of the container detection device (24), preferably a camera.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: determining a required change in the rotational position of the container closure (14) to achieve a predetermined alignment between the container closure (14) and the container (12) on the basis of the detection of the rotational position of the container closure (14) and the detection of the rotational position of the container (12), wherein the rotational position of the container closure (14) is changed by moving the closing station (26) on the basis of the determined required change in the rotational position, preferably in such a way that the container closure (14) and the container (12) are aligned with one another in the predetermined alignment.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the container (12) has a handle (13) on the container casing of the container (12); the container closure (14) is a hinged closure or flip-top lid, preferably having a tear-off tab, and the predetermined alignment is such that the hinged closure or the flip-top lid can be opened toward the handle (13).

13. The method according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein: detecting the rotational position of the container closure (14) comprises detecting a geometric feature, preferably a tear-off tab (15) or a profiling, or a marking of the container closure (14) by means of the closure detection device (28); and / or a detection region (36) of the closure detection device (28) extends substantially tangentially to an outer circumference of the container closure (14) positioned in the closing station (26), preferably in order to detect a geometric feature of the container closure (14) that protrudes from the outer circumference or is set back with respect to the outer circumference.