Device for closing a container with a container closure

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure, and a closing device comprising such a device. State of the art

[0002] In beverage bottling plants, containers are typically filled with a product, such as a beverage. After filling, the container is sealed with a cap.

[0003] Depending on the type of container being filled, various types of container closures are known. For example, beverage bottles are commonly closed with a roll-on closure. In this process, a closure preform, usually made of aluminum and shaped like a hollow cylinder closed at one end, is placed onto a container opening with an external thread while applying a predetermined amount of pressure. The hollow cylindrical surface of the closure only acquires its final shape, with threads and a crimped retaining ring, during the closing process, after the preform has been placed on the container opening and pressed against it by the applied pressure.

[0004] Alternatively, beverage containers can be sealed with a screw cap. For this, a pre-formed screw cap, which is for example made of molded plastic, is screwed onto a thread provided at the container opening by simultaneously turning the cap and applying a certain predetermined pressure.

[0005] It is also common to close beverage containers with a push-on closure. In this method, the closure is pressed onto the container opening with a certain predetermined amount of pressure. For example, a beverage bottle can be closed with a plastic push-on closure or a crown cap.

[0006] Alternatively, beverage containers can also be sealed using a push-in closure, for example with a cork or a stopper. In this process, the diameter of the cork or stopper is compressed and, by applying a certain predetermined pressure, a sealing plunger located in the closure recess, the so-called cork lock, pushes it into the bottle opening.

[0007] The different types of container closures mentioned above require differently designed closure receptacles, also called closure heads or capping heads, which each take into account the requirements of the respective type of container closure, the container to be closed, and the method of attaching the respective container closure to the filled container.

[0008] It is known to provide a capper in a beverage bottling plant for sealing a container with a container closure. This capper can be equipped with different closure holders, allowing for the processing of various types of container closures. To ensure economical operation, which depends particularly on the required throughput—that is, the number of containers sealed per unit of time—cappers typically have multiple devices, each equipped with a closure holder, for sealing a container with a container closure. They are designed either linearly or rotary.With capping machines designed in this way, it is possible, for example, to switch between processing screw caps and crown caps by removing the cap holders designed for screw caps from the devices and replacing them with cap holders designed for crown caps. Alternatively, the cap holder can also be designed to accommodate and process different types of container closures, such as screw caps and roll-on caps.

[0009] To provide the necessary head pressure for applying the closures, the devices each have a pre-tensioning device by means of which the closure receptacle is pre-tensioned relative to a lifting unit of the device in the direction of the container to be closed.

[0010] The required closing force for a container with a closure varies depending on the type of closure. For example, when applying a plastic screw cap, the closure device may need to be designed to provide a closing force of 150 N. For a system applying an (aluminum) roll-on closure, the closing force required during the process might need to be adjusted to 2000 N. These systems are designed with the minimum required closing force in mind, but it can currently be manually adjusted to increase it further (for example, by an additional 500 N).

[0011] To enable such a change in the head pressure, conventional preload devices feature a manual head pressure adjustment. For example, when changing from machining one type of container closure to another, a compression spring in the preload device can be replaced with a compression spring of a different spring stiffness to alter the head pressure provided by the preloaded compression spring. Alternatively, the spring travel of the compression spring can be manually adjusted during the changeover so that the compression spring has a different initial compression for each type of container closure, for example, via a threaded system provided in the preload device.

[0012] Such manual retooling is time-consuming because the preloading device, especially its compression spring, is difficult to access. Furthermore, there is a risk of thread damage during adjustment if the process is performed manually too frequently or improperly. In addition, manual adjustment is very time-consuming on high-throughput systems that are large and have numerous devices for sealing a container with a container closure, resulting in comparatively long downtimes during retooling.

[0013] As a result, adjustment of the head pressure is often omitted during a changeover, and a fixed average "standard head pressure" is used instead, even though different head pressures are actually required for different containers and container closures, which often has adverse effects on the closing process.

[0014] DE 10 2019 103 095 A1 describes a device for treating a container, comprising a closing device according to the preamble of claim 1 with a compensation element having two different force levels. US 5,417,031 A describes a device for applying screw caps to containers. EP 2 724 976 B1 describes a capper for a container. EP 1 772 421 A1 describes a closing device with a force adjustment mechanism. Description of the invention

[0015] Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure, as well as an improved closing device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure.

[0016] The problem is solved by a device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a snap-on closure, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.Accordingly, a device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure, is proposed, comprising a lifting unit displaceable along a longitudinal direction with a guide unit for specifying a position of the lifting unit in the longitudinal direction and a closure receptacle connected to the lifting unit via a pre-tensioning device for holding a container closure and for applying the container closure to a container opening of a container to be closed with a head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device.

[0017] The device further comprises an adjustment device for automatically adjusting the head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device. The pre-tensioning device has an actuating element that is longitudinally displaceable relative to the lifting unit and an adjusting wheel for changing the position of the actuating element longitudinally relative to the lifting unit.

[0018] In this context, "automatic adjustment" means that the adjustment device is designed to function as intended without direct human intervention, i.e., it adjusts the head pressure without any manual intervention. Thus, the head pressure can be adjusted on the device without any human intervention.

[0019] Because the device includes an adjustment mechanism for automatically adjusting the head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device, it is always possible to set the ideal head pressure for the container closure currently being processed without manual intervention. The elimination of manual adjustment saves the time otherwise required, especially since no person needs to directly access the device and thus overcome the surrounding protective measures, such as a filling chamber, a cleanroom, and / or barriers to prevent external access.

[0020] Because no direct human intervention is necessary, the effort required for hygiene in the system can also be reduced, since there is no risk of contamination of the system due to the automatic adjustment of the head pressure.

[0021] Furthermore, the pressure on the head can be set with exceptional precision to the intended value. In addition, incorrect settings due to human error, which can occur with manual adjustment, can be avoided.

[0022] This also enables monitoring, checking, and / or readjusting of the head pressure during operation of the system. According to a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises a bracket for connection to a capping transport device, for example, a capping carousel, wherein the lifting unit is arranged to be displaceable along the longitudinal direction on the bracket.

[0023] To enable easy adjustment of the head pressure provided by the preloading device, the preloading device can include a compression spring element arranged between the adjusting element and the locking receptacle to provide the predetermined head pressure on the locking receptacle.

[0024] Preferably, the position of the actuating element in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted by the adjusting device.

[0025] To define a longitudinal position of the lifting unit, which typically corresponds to a height position relative to gravity, the lifting unit can include a guide unit for defining this longitudinal position. The guide unit of the lifting unit preferably has a guide element, for example in the form of a guide roller, which can be guided along or through a guide device, for example a lifting cam, of the closing device.

[0026] It has proven advantageous to arrange the pre-tensioning device on the guide unit. Preferably, the actuating element is slidably mounted on the guide unit.

[0027] A particularly simple and stable design of the pre-tensioning device can be achieved if the actuating element is designed in the form of an actuating rod, and / or if the actuating element has a threaded section via which the actuating element engages with a threaded part of the pre-tensioning device.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the actuating element can be held in a rotationally secure manner with respect to the longitudinal direction on the lifting element, preferably on the guide unit of the lifting element. The term "rotationally secure with respect to the longitudinal direction" here means that the actuating element is prevented from rotating about its longitudinal axis.

[0029] Such an anti-rotation device can be provided, for example, by ensuring that the actuating element has a cross-sectional profile with a non-circular shape, such as a polygonal profile, at least in a specified area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Alternatively or additionally, an additional locking element, such as a pin held in a receptacle, can be provided to ensure the anti-rotation device.

[0030] If it is intended to be possible to adjust the preload of the preloading device and / or the head pressure specified by the preloading device with particular precision, the device may include a measuring unit for determining the preload of the preloading device and / or the head pressure specified by the preloading device. Preferably, the measuring unit is designed and configured to determine the head pressure at the lifting unit or the locking receptacle, at least temporarily. Preferably, the measuring unit or a control device connected to the measuring unit may be configured to determine a preload characteristic curve, for example, a spring characteristic curve for various settings of the adjusting device, preferably over a predetermined range, from the data provided via the measuring unit.Preferably, the determined current head pressure and / or the determined characteristic curve can be displayed on a screen on the device and / or stored in memory. In particular, this allows for adjustments to manufacturing tolerances of one or more of the components of the preloading device. For example, if the preloading device includes a compression spring, there may be a 10% deviation in spring stiffness within a single batch of compression springs.

[0031] Preferably, the adjusting wheel and the actuating element are coupled in such a way that by rotating the adjusting wheel about an axis of rotation of the adjusting wheel, the actuating element can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit.

[0032] A particularly simple design can be achieved if the adjusting wheel is designed as a friction wheel.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the pre-tensioning device comprises a gearbox, preferably a bevel gear gearbox or a preferably offset belt gearbox, wherein the gearbox is preferably arranged between the adjusting wheel and the actuating element, wherein the gearbox preferably provides a coupling between the adjusting wheel and the actuating element, wherein a threaded part engaging with a threaded section of the actuating element is preferably provided on a gear wheel, preferably a bevel gear, of the gearbox.

[0034] Alternatively, the transmission can also be designed as a worm gear. Preferably, a worm of the worm gear is provided on the side of the adjusting wheel or rotaryally coupled to it, which engages with a worm wheel arranged on the side of the actuating element. The worm wheel preferably represents the gear wheel, which engages with the threaded section of the actuating element via a threaded portion, preferably an internal thread. When using a worm gear, a particularly advantageous transmission ratio between the worm wheel and the worm can be provided, preferably in the range of i = 4:1 to 12:1, more preferably from i = 6:1 to 10:1, and most preferably i = 9:1. Furthermore, the torque to be transmitted at the adjusting wheel is comparatively low, and the position of the actuating element can be set with particular precision.In comparison to, for example, a bevel gear drive, the design of a worm gear drive may be simpler and / or more cost-effective.

[0035] To prevent the head pressure provided by the preload device from changing unintentionally during operation, the preload device can include a locking unit for locking the preload device, preferably for locking the adjusting wheel against rotation and / or for locking the actuating element against displacement.

[0036] Preferably, the locking unit comprises a locking element movable relative to the adjusting wheel and a preloading element for preloading the locking element against the adjusting wheel.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the locking element can be designed in the form of a safety fork.

[0038] If, according to a further preferred embodiment, the device includes a position detection unit for detecting the position of the actuating element relative to the lifting unit, preferably relative to the guide unit, the head pressure provided by the preloading device can be inferred from the detected position of the actuating element. This enables monitoring of the head pressure during operation. Furthermore, it is possible to detect whether, and if, the set head pressure changes, thus achieving a comparatively high level of operational reliability.

[0039] Preferably, the position detection unit comprises a sensor configured to detect the position of the actuating element relative to the lifting unit, preferably the guide unit, in the longitudinal direction. The sensor can preferably detect a longitudinal distance between a plate arranged on the actuating element and the sensor itself. Preferably, the sensor is arranged at a fixed level in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the sensor can also be arranged on the actuating element and move longitudinally with it. In this case, the sensor is preferably configured to detect a longitudinal distance to a point with a fixed, constant height in the longitudinal direction.

[0040] According to another preferred embodiment, the adjusting device is designed to be coupled to the preloading device.

[0041] The term "coupleable" in this context encompasses both the ability to couple and the ability to decouple. In other words, a coupleable unit can be connected to a device for the purpose of interaction. In the coupled state, the unit can, for example, be arranged or attached to the device in such a way that, for instance, force transmission in the longitudinal direction is possible. Decouplement, furthermore, corresponds to releasing or removing the unit from the device.

[0042] According to a further preferred embodiment, the adjusting device comprises a drive wheel that can be coupled to the adjusting wheel of the preloading device, wherein the drive wheel is preferably designed as a friction wheel, wherein the drive wheel is preferably designed to be movable towards the adjusting wheel for coupling with the adjusting wheel and movable away from the adjusting wheel for decoupling.

[0043] According to a further preferred embodiment, the adjusting device comprises a drive device for automatically driving the adjusting device, preferably the drive wheel of the adjusting device, wherein the drive device preferably comprises a motor, preferably an electric motor, particularly preferably a stepper motor and / or a DC motor.

[0044] To enable coupling and decoupling of the adjusting device with the preloading device, the adjusting device can include an actuator unit for moving the drive wheel towards and away from the adjusting wheel. For coupling, the drive wheel can be moved towards the adjusting wheel until the drive wheel and the adjusting wheel make contact such that the drive wheel can drive the adjusting wheel.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, the adjusting device can include a release element for releasing the locking unit of the preloading device, wherein the release element is preferably designed to be movable simultaneously with the drive wheel, wherein the release element is preferably designed to hold the locking unit in a released state when the drive wheel is in a position coupled to the adjusting wheel, and is designed not to act on the locking unit when the drive wheel is in a position decoupled from the adjusting wheel, wherein the release element is preferably preloaded, preferably spring-loaded, relative to the drive wheel and directed towards the locking unit. This ensures that the drive wheel can drive the adjusting wheel to adjust the head pressure.

[0046] According to a further preferred embodiment, the device comprises a control unit for controlling the head pressure specified by the preloading device. Preferably, the control unit is configured to control the position of the actuating element relative to the lifting unit, preferably to the guide unit, and / or a position of the adjusting device relative to the preloading device, preferably a position of the drive wheel relative to the adjusting wheel, and / or a rotational movement of the drive wheel. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be configured to control the drive device and / or the actuator unit and / or a position of the release unit.

[0047] Preferably, the closure holder is detachably attached to the lifting unit. This allows the closure holder to be easily replaced with a different one, for example, if the closure holder is damaged or if a different type of container closure is to be used.

[0048] The term "removable" is used here analogously to the term "connectable," meaning the ability to detach a unit from a device, i.e., to remove it, and then reattach or reassemble it. The lifting unit and the locking mechanism are designed accordingly, allowing for detachment and reattachment without causing damage to either the lifting unit or the locking mechanism. Detachment and reattachment are therefore reversible, requiring no physical intervention such as cutting or welding.

[0049] The problem stated above is further solved by a closure device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a snap-on closure, with the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the present description and the figures.

[0050] Accordingly, a capper for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure, is proposed, which comprises a rotatable capper carousel with a container receptacle for receiving a container to be closed.

[0051] The capper further comprises a device according to one of the preceding embodiments, which is arranged on the capper carousel in relation to the container receiving.

[0052] Because the capper includes a device for closing a container with a container closure according to one of the above embodiments, the advantages and effects mentioned above with regard to the device can also be achieved by the capper.

[0053] Preferably, the capper can comprise a plurality of devices. Each device can have its own adjustment device or be assigned to one, or one adjustment device can be provided for several devices. For example, the capper can comprise 52 devices with 52 capping receptacles, with the capper comprising a total of four adjustment devices. Thus, one adjustment unit is then assigned to 13 devices, or 13 devices "share" one adjustment unit. This allows for a simple capper design with an acceptable changeover time. Brief description of the characters

[0054] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show: Figure 1 schematically a sectional view through a capper for closing a container with a container closure; Figure 2schematically a sectional view of part of a device for closing a container with a container closure of the capper made of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 schematically a perspective sectional view of a section of the closure Figure 1 ; Figure 4 schematically a side view of a detail of the device according to the Figures 1 to 3 ; Figure 5 schematically another side view of the detail of the device Figure 4 ; Figure 6 schematically another side view of the detail of the device Figure 4 ; Figure 7 schematically a perspective side view of the sub-area from Figure 3 ; Figures 8 to 10 schematically, each a side view of a detail of a device for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment; and Figure 11schematically a perspective side view of a detail of a device for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0055] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are designated with identical reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are sometimes omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0056] In Figure 1The figure shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a capper 100 for sealing a container (not shown) with a container closure (not shown). The capper 100 is designed as a rotary unit. Accordingly, it comprises a base frame 120 rigidly connected to the ground and a capper carousel 110 that rotates about a central axis 101 in a predetermined direction 102 relative to the base frame 120. For clarity, only one side of the capper 100 is shown here.

[0057] The capper 100 comprises a plurality of container receptacles 111 for receiving a container to be capped, which are arranged circumferentially on the capper carousel 110 with respect to the axis of rotation 101. Each container receptacle 111 is associated with a device 1 for capping a container with a container closure and is arranged above it.

[0058] In normal operation of the capper 100, with each revolution of the capper carousel 110, a container 111 to be capped is picked up in each container holder, capped by means of the device 1 assigned to the respective container holder 111, and the capped container is then removed from the container holder 111 to make room for the next container to be capped, which is then picked up in the next revolution. In this way, a continuous flow of containers can be capped with the capper 100.

[0059] The device 1 comprises a lifting unit 3, which is slidably mounted on the capping carousel 110 along a longitudinal direction 2 oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 101. The lifting unit 3 includes a guide unit 4 for defining its position in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the capping carousel 110. For this purpose, the guide unit 4 has a guide element 5 in the form of a roller, which is guided along a lifting cam 121 provided on the base frame 120.

[0060] In order to enable the lifting unit 3 to be moved relative to the closing carousel 110, the device 1 comprises a holder 6 which is fixedly arranged on the closing carousel 110, and on which the lifting unit 3 is held slidably along the longitudinal direction 2.

[0061] The device 1 further comprises a closure receptacle 7 arranged on the underside of the lifting unit 3, which is connected to the lifting unit 3 via a pre-tensioning device 8 described in detail below. The closure receptacle 7 is designed to hold a container closure and to apply the container closure to a container opening to be closed in the container held in the container receptacle 111. The pre-tensioning device 8 enables the application of the container closure to the container opening via the closure receptacle 7 with a predetermined head pressure provided by the pre-tensioning device 8.

[0062] An optional drive 9 is provided on the bracket 6, by means of which the locking receptacle 7 can be rotated about the longitudinal direction 2.

[0063] The device 1 further comprises an adjusting device 10 arranged on the base frame 120 of the capper 100 for automatically adjusting the head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device 8. The adjusting device 10 comprises a drive device 11 by means of which a drive wheel 12 of the adjusting device 10 can be rotated.

[0064] The driving wheel 12 is coupled to an adjusting wheel 13 of the preloading device 8, such that a rotation of the driving wheel 12 causes a rotation of the adjusting wheel 13, as explained in more detail below.

[0065] Turning the adjusting wheel 13 changes the head pressure provided by the preloading device 8.

[0066] As in Figure 1As indicated, at least the drive wheel 12 of the adjusting device 10 is designed to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction 2. If the drive wheel 12 is moved away from the adjusting wheel 13, the drive wheel 12 and the adjusting wheel 13 are decoupled from each other.

[0067] Thus, the lifting unit arranged on the closing carousel 110 with the pre-tensioning device 8 can be moved past the adjusting device 10 in the direction of rotation 102 without any contact occurring between the drive wheel 12 and the adjusting wheel 13, which could cause a change in the orientation of the adjusting wheel 13, and thus a rotation of the adjusting wheel 13.

[0068] If adjusting the head pressure is intended, the adjusting wheel 13 is first positioned below the drive wheel 12 (viewed in the longitudinal direction 2), and then the drive wheel 12 is moved towards the adjusting wheel 13 until they are in a coupled state. Then, the adjusting wheel 13 can be moved by moving the drive wheel 12.

[0069] To provide the displacement of the drive wheel 12, the adjusting device 10 includes an actuator unit 26.

[0070] Figure 2 schematically shows a sectional view of part of device 1. Figure 1 . From the section view in Figure 2 Part of the lifting unit 3, which is held on the bracket 6, is to be removed.

[0071] Furthermore, the guide unit 4 with its guide element 5 and the pretensioning device 8 can be seen in detail.

[0072] The guide unit 4 is permanently connected to the lifting unit 3, or rather, permanently attached to it.

[0073] The pre-tensioning device 8 comprises an actuating element 14, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the lifting unit 3 and is guided in the guide unit 4, and a gearbox 15, which is arranged between the adjusting wheel 13 and the actuating element 14, and which provides a coupling of the adjusting wheel 13 and the actuating element 14, such that a rotation of the adjusting wheel 13 about a rotation axis 16 of the adjusting wheel 13 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2 causes the actuating element 14 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0074] For this purpose, the transmission 15 is designed as a bevel gear transmission 15, which comprises a first bevel gear 17 rotatably coupled to the adjusting wheel 13 and rotatable about the axis of rotation 16, and a second bevel gear 18 rotatable about the longitudinal direction 2 and engaged with the first bevel gear 17. The second bevel gear 18 comprises an inner threaded portion 19 which engages with an outer threaded section 20 of the adjusting element 14.

[0075] At in Figure 2 At the upper end of the actuating element 14, an anti-rotation device 21 is provided, which prevents the actuating element 14 from rotating about the longitudinal direction 2.

[0076] Accordingly, turning the adjusting wheel 13 about the axis of rotation 16 causes the adjusting element 14 to be moved along the longitudinal direction 2.

[0077] To prevent the adjusting wheel 13 and the actuating element 14 from moving unintentionally, a locking unit 33 is provided which, as described in more detail below, locks the adjusting wheel 13 against rotation.

[0078] The preloading device 8 further comprises a compression spring element 22, which in this case is formed by two parallel-acting compression springs 23. The compression spring element 22 is arranged between the actuating element 14 and the locking receptacle 7. The locking receptacle 7 (see Figure 1) includes a connecting cylinder 24 extending along the longitudinal direction 2 in the lifting unit 3, which is in contact with the end of the printing error element 22 on the closure receiving side.

[0079] When the actuating element 14 is moved towards the connecting cylinder 24, the compression spring element 22 experiences (additional) compression, thus increasing the preload applied to the locking receptacle 7 by the preloading device 8, or more precisely, the preload force acting towards the locking receptacle 7 by the preloading device 8. When the actuating element 14 is moved away from the connecting cylinder 24, the preload force decreases accordingly. The preload force provided by the preloading device 8 is proportional to the applied head pressure, as is known to those skilled in the art.

[0080] Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective sectional view of a section of the closure device 100. Figure 1, wherein the driving wheel 12 is rotaryally coupled to the adjusting wheel 13, thus the adjusting device 10 and the preloading device 8 are in a coupled state to each other.

[0081] The drive wheel 12 is connected to the drive device 11 via a chain drive 27.

[0082] The device 1 further comprises a position detection unit 34 for detecting the position of the actuating element 14 relative to the lifting unit 3. A sensor 37 of the position detection unit 34 is arranged on the base frame 120, which determines the distance in longitudinal direction 2 between itself and a sensor plate 35 arranged on the actuating element 14.

[0083] In Figure 3Furthermore, a control / regulation unit 36 ​​is indicated, which is configured to control / regulate the head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device 8. According to this embodiment, the control / regulation unit 36 ​​is connected to the actuator unit 26, the position detection unit 34, and the drive device 11 and is configured to control / regulate the position of the actuating element 14 relative to the lifting unit 3.

[0084] The position of the actuator 14 relative to the lifting unit 3 allows the head pressure to be deduced or calculated. Accordingly, the control system can determine a position for the actuator 14 corresponding to a predefined, adjustable head pressure and automatically move the actuator 14 to the required position by controlling the drive device 11.

[0085] Figure 4 schematically shows a side view of a detail of device 1 according to the Figures 1 to 3, in the area around the driving wheel 12 and the adjusting wheel 13, wherein the driving wheel 12 and the adjusting wheel 13 are in the coupled state.

[0086] The drive wheel 12 and the adjusting wheel 13 are each designed as friction wheels. Accordingly, the torque is transmitted from the drive wheel 12 to the adjusting wheel 13 by a frictional force or frictional torque. For this purpose, the actuator unit 26 presses the drive wheel 12 against the adjusting wheel 13 with a predetermined contact force.

[0087] It can be seen here that the locking unit 33 has a locking element 25 in the form of a locking fork with opposing contact surfaces 28 pointing towards the adjusting wheel 13, by means of which the locking unit 33 can be brought into contact with the adjusting wheel 13. The locking element 25 is pre-tensioned towards the adjusting wheel 13 by means of pre-tensioning elements in the form of springs 29. This pre-tension causes the locking element 25 to be pressed with the contact surfaces 28 against the outer circumferential surface of the adjusting wheel 13, thus locking the adjusting wheel against rotation.

[0088] The adjusting device 10 comprises a release element 30 for releasing the locking of the adjusting wheel 13 provided by the locking unit 33, which is designed to be movable simultaneously with the drive wheel 12 and is pre-tensioned in the direction of the locking unit 33 by means of a spring 31.

[0089] Alternatively or in addition to the spring 31, an actuator, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor, can also be provided for actively moving the release element 30 in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the drive wheel 12.

[0090] Since the drive wheel 12 is in the coupled state with the adjusting wheel 13, the release element 30 is in a state in which it has moved the locking element 25 in longitudinal direction 2 against the preload provided by the springs 29, so that the contact surfaces 28 and the adjusting wheel 13 are disengaged. This allows the adjusting wheel 13 to be rotated.

[0091] The in Figure 4 The state shown thus corresponds to the coupled state of adjusting device 10 and pre-tensioning device 8 relative to each other.

[0092] Figure 5 schematically shows the detail of device 1. Figure 4, wherein the drive wheel 12 has been moved longitudinally away from the adjusting wheel 13 by means of the actuator unit 26, so that there is no longer any contact and therefore no coupling between the drive wheel 12 and the adjusting wheel 13.

[0093] Due to the preload provided by the springs 31, the release elements 30 are still in contact with the locking unit 33, but have already been raised by a certain amount in the longitudinal direction 2, so that the contact surfaces 28 are again in contact with the adjusting wheel 13 and thus lock the adjusting wheel 13 against rotation.

[0094] The in Figure 5 The state shown of adjusting device 10 and pre-tensioning device 8 relative to each other therefore corresponds to an intermediate state between the coupled state and a decoupled state.

[0095] Figure 6 schematically shows the detail of device 1. Figure 4, wherein the adjusting device 10 is in a state decoupled from the preloading device 8. Accordingly, both the drive wheel 12 and the release elements 30 are disengaged from the adjusting wheel 13 and the locking unit 33, respectively.

[0096] A predetermined distance 32 exists between the underside of the release elements 30 and the top side of the locking unit 33.

[0097] The in Figure 6 The state shown thus corresponds to the decoupled state of adjusting device 10 and preloading device 8 relative to each other.

[0098] Out of Figure 7 is schematically a perspective side view of the sub-area from Figure 3 to be removed, wherein the adjusting device 10, more precisely the drive wheel 12 and the release elements 30, are separated from the pre-tensioning device 8, more precisely the drive wheel 8 and the locking unit 33, in the decoupled state according to Figure 6 are available.

[0099] From the Figures 8 to 10is schematically a side view of a detail analogous to the detail from the Figures 4 to 6 A device 1 for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment is shown. The device 1 of the Figures 8 to 10 essentially corresponds to that of the Figures 1 to 7 , whereby the adjusting device 10 has some differences. Only these differences will be discussed below.

[0100] In contrast to the previously described embodiment, here the drive wheel 12 is biased towards the adjusting wheel 13 by a spring 31 on the actuator unit 26 and the release element 30. The release element 30 is directly connected to the actuator unit 26, thus without the biasing found in the previously described embodiment.

[0101] In Figure 8 The adjusting device 10 and the preloading device 8 are in a decoupled state, correspondingly with the specified distance 32 to each other.

[0102] In Figure 9 The release element 30 and the drive wheel 12 are moved longitudinally 2 towards the adjusting wheel 13 until the drive wheel 12 first makes contact with the adjusting wheel 13. According to this embodiment, the release element 30 simultaneously engages the locking element 25 without having yet moved it longitudinally 2. The contact surfaces 28 of the locking element 25 thus remain in contact with the adjusting wheel 13 and lock it against rotation. Consequently, the Figure 9 The shown state represents an intermediate state analogous to Figure 5 dar.

[0103] In Figure 10 The coupled state between adjusting device 10 and preloading device 8 is shown. In this state, automatic adjustment of the head pressure provided by the preloading device 8 is possible.

[0104] Compared to Figure 9The release element 30 has been moved further towards the adjusting wheel 13 via the actuator unit 26, so that the locking element 25 has been displaced in longitudinal direction 2 and is no longer in contact with the adjusting wheel 13 by means of its contact surfaces 28. Accordingly, rotation of the adjusting wheel 13 is possible.

[0105] The drive wheel 12 is pressed against the adjusting wheel 13 by the spring 31. This provides the driving force required to transmit the riding torque. Preferably, the spring 31 is a mechanical spring, as shown in Figure 9 indicated, and / or designed as a pneumatic spring 31, preferably in the form of a pneumatic cylinder. Alternatively or in addition to the spring 31, as described above, Figure 4 An actuator for actively moving the release element 30 is also described.

[0106] In this embodiment, the adjusting wheel 13 is always in contact with either the contact surfaces 28 or the drive wheel 12, and is therefore never freely rotatable. Unintentional changes to the angular position of the adjusting wheel 13, for example due to vibrations, after it has lost contact with the contact surfaces 28 and before it makes contact with the drive wheel 12, are thus prevented.

[0107] In Figure 11 Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective side view of a detail of a device 1 for closing a container with a container closure according to a further embodiment. The device 1 essentially corresponds to that of the Figures 1 to 3 It differs from device 1. Figure 1 in the type of gear 15 used to couple the adjusting wheel 13 with the actuating element 14. In addition, the adjusting wheel 13 is designed here as a friction wheel provided with teeth.

[0108] As from Figure 11 As can be seen, in this embodiment the gear 15 is designed in the form of a worm gear 15, which provides the coupling of the adjusting wheel 13 and the actuating element 14, such that a rotation of the adjusting wheel 13 about the axis of rotation 16 of the adjusting wheel 13 oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2 causes the actuating element 14 to be moved in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0109] For this purpose, a worm 38 of the worm gear 15, oriented in the direction of the axis of rotation 16, is provided on the side of the adjusting wheel 13 or is rotaryally coupled to it. The worm 38 engages with a worm wheel 39 arranged on the side of the adjusting element 14.

[0110] The worm gear 39 comprises, analogously to Figure 2 an inner threaded part 19, not shown here, which engages with the outer threaded section 20 of the adjusting element 14.

[0111] According to this optional embodiment, the gear ratio of the worm gear is 9 to 1. Reference symbol list

[0112] 1 Device 2 Longitudinal direction 3 Lifting unit 4 Guide unit 5 Guide element 6 Bracket 7 Locking receptacle 8 Pre-tensioning device 9 Drive 10 Adjusting device 11 Drive device 12 Drive wheel 13 Adjusting wheel 14 Actuating element 15 Gearbox 16 Shaft of rotation 17 Bevel gear 18 Bevel gear 19 Threaded part 20 Threaded section 21 Anti-rotation device 22 Compression spring element 23 Compression spring 24 Connecting cylinder 25 Locking element 26 Actuator unit 27 Chain drive 28 Contact surface 29 Spring 30 Release element 31 Spring 32 Spacing 33 Locking unit 34 Position detection unit 35 Sensor plate 36 Control / Regulation 37 Sensor 38 Worm 39 Worm wheel 100 Closer 101 Shaft of rotation 102 Direction of rotation 110Closing carousel 111Container holder 120Base frame

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw closure, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure, comprising a lifting unit (3), movable in a longitudinal direction (2), with a guide unit (4) for predefining a position of the lifting unit (3) in the longitudinal direction (2), a closure receptacle (7), connected to the lifting unit (3) via a preloading device (8), for holding a container closure and for applying, using a head pressure predefined by the preloading device (8), the container closure to a container opening of a container to be closed, and a setting apparatus (10) for automatically adjusting the head pressure predefined by the preloading device (8), characterized in that the preloading device (8) has a setting element (14) movable in the longitudinal direction relative to the lifting unit (3) and an adjusting wheel (13) for adjusting the position of the setting element (14) in the longitudinal direction (2) relative to the lifting unit (3).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a mount (6) is provided for attachment to a closer transport apparatus, preferably a closer carousel (110), wherein the lifting unit (3) is arranged on the mount (6) so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction (2).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the preloading device (8) comprises a compression spring element (22), arranged between the setting element (12) and the closure receptacle (7), for providing the predefined head pressure on the closure receptacle (7), wherein preferably a position of the setting element (14) in the longitudinal direction (2) is settable by the setting apparatus (10), and / or in that the preloading device (8) is arranged on the guide unit (4) and / or the setting element (14) is movably held on the guide unit (4).

4. The apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the setting element (14) is in the form of a setting rod, and / or in that the setting element (14) has a threaded portion (20) via which the setting element (14) engages with a threaded part (19) of the preloading device (8), and / or in that the setting element (14) is held in a rotationally secure manner with respect to the longitudinal direction (2) on the lifting element (3), preferably on the guide unit (4) of the lifting element (3), preferably via a pin guided preferably in a groove on the lifting element (3).

5. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting wheel (13) and the setting element (14) are coupled in such a way that by rotating the adjusting wheel (13) the setting element (14) is movable relative to the lifting unit (3), and / or wherein preferably the adjusting wheel (13) is configured as a friction wheel and / or a wheel provided with a knurling and / or a wheel provided with a toothing.

6. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preloading device (8) comprises a gearbox (15), preferably a bevel gear gearbox (15), a worm gearbox (15) or a preferably crossed belt transmission, wherein preferably the gearbox (15) is arranged between the adjusting wheel (13) and the setting element (14), wherein preferably the gearbox (15) couples the adjusting wheel (13) and the setting element (14) together, wherein preferably a threaded part (19) engaging with a threaded portion (20) of the setting element (14) is provided on a gearwheel, preferably a bevel gear (18) or a worm gear (39), of the gearbox (15).

7. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preloading device (8) comprises a locking unit (25) for locking the preloading device (8), preferably for locking the adjusting wheel (13) against rotation and / or for locking the setting element (14) against movement, wherein preferably the locking unit (25) comprises a locking element (33) movable relative to the adjusting wheel (13) and comprises a preloading element, preferably a spring (29), for preloading the locking element (33) against the adjusting wheel (13), wherein preferably the locking element (33) is in the form of a securing fork.

8. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a position detection unit (34) is provided for detecting the position of the setting element (14) relative to the lifting unit (3), preferably relative to the guide unit (4), wherein preferably the position detection unit (34) comprises a sensor (37) configured to detect the position of the setting element (14) relative to the lifting unit (3), preferably relative to the guide unit (4), viewed in the longitudinal direction (2).

9. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setting apparatus (10) is couplable to the preloading device (8), wherein preferably the setting apparatus (10) comprises a drive wheel (12) couplable to an adjusting wheel (13) of the preloading device (8), wherein the drive wheel (12) is preferably configured as a friction wheel and / or as a wheel provided with a knurling and / or a toothing, wherein preferably the drive wheel (12) is movable toward the adjusting wheel (13) in order to be coupled to the adjusting wheel (13) and is movable away from the adjusting wheel (13) in order to be decoupled.

10. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the setting apparatus (10) comprises a drive apparatus (11) for automatically driving the setting apparatus (10), preferably for driving a drive wheel (12) of the setting apparatus (10), wherein the drive apparatus (11) preferably comprises a motor, particularly preferably an electric motor, most particularly preferably a stepper motor and / or a DC motor.

11. The apparatus (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the setting apparatus (10) comprises an actuator unit (33) for moving the drive wheel (12) toward and away from the adjusting wheel (13), and / or in that the setting apparatus (10) comprises a release element (30) for releasing the locking unit (33) of the preloading device (8), wherein preferably the release element (30) is movable simultaneously with the drive wheel (12), wherein preferably the release element (30) is configured to hold the locking unit (33) in a released state when the drive wheel (12) is positioned in a position coupled to the adjusting wheel (13), and is configured not to act on the locking unit (33) when the drive wheel (12) is positioned in a position decoupled from the adjusting wheel (13), wherein preferably the release element (30) is arranged relative to the drive wheel (12) so as to be preloaded, preferably spring-preloaded, facing in the direction of the locking unit (33), and / or in that the apparatus (1) comprises an open- / closed-loop controller (36) for the open- / closed-loop control of the head pressure predefined by the preloading device (8), wherein the open- / closed-loop controller (36) is preferably configured to control the position of the setting element (14) relative to the lifting unit (3), preferably relative to the guide unit (4), in an open / closed loop.

12. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure receptacle (7) is releasably held on the lifting unit (3).

13. A closer (100) for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw closure, a push-on closure, a crown cap and / or a push-in closure, comprising a rotatable closer carousel (110) with a container receptacle (111) for receiving a container to be closed, characterized in that an apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims is arranged on the closer carousel (110) and assigned to the container receptacle (111).