Device for guiding container closures and container closing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closure device (6), comprising a first guide rail (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (2), wherein a second guide rail (4) extending in the longitudinal direction (2) is provided, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (2) relative to the first guide rail (3), wherein the first guide rail (3) and the second guide rail (4) form a guide section of variable length for guiding the container closures, a closure device (6) comprising the device (1), and a system (8) comprising the device (1) and the closure device (6) for treating containers.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for guiding container closures, for example for feeding crown caps to a closure device in a beverage filling plant, and a closure device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a bottle with a crown cap. State of the art

[0002] It is known in filling plants for filling containers with a filling product, especially in beverage filling plants, to feed the container closures to be applied to filled containers to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure via a guide rail.

[0003] The container closures are often sorted and oriented in a sorting device or agitator and then transferred to the guide rail. As a rule, such sorting devices or agitators are positioned, at least partially, above the closure device when viewed from the direction of gravity, so that the container closures guided in the rail are moved towards the closure device by gravity.

[0004] To enable the processing of container closures for different container heights using the same system or closure device, it is known to design the upper part of the closure device to be height-adjustable. To switch from a container of a specific type with a specific height to a different container type with a different height, the upper part must be moved accordingly so that the closure element of the closure device is correctly positioned with respect to the new container height.

[0005] If the sorting device or agitator is mounted directly on the top of the closing device, as is often the case with conventional systems, the distance between the sorting device or agitator and the closing device is not dependent on a change in height, so that with this combined design no conversion is necessary to handle different container heights.

[0006] In modern systems, the sorting device or agitator can also be located outside the filling and sealing process area. In this case, the sorting device or agitator is, for example, mounted on a platform above the sealing device or on the cleanroom roof of a cleanroom that at least encloses the sealing device. Consequently, the sorting device or agitator maintains a essentially constant height. When the height of the sealing device or sealing element is changed to accommodate containers of a different height, the distance between the sorting device or agitator and the sealing element changes accordingly. To compensate for this height change, the system must be reconfigured by switching between different guide rails of varying lengths.In other words, a separate guide rail must be provided for essentially every container height. The system must be modified to handle containers of a different height, at least by installing the guide rail assigned to the new container height.

[0007] To reduce or even completely eliminate the effort required for this changeover, guide devices are known in which the guide rail is divided into several sections that can be guided past each other laterally. These guide devices provide a multiply curved guide path for the container closures. The container closures are transferred laterally from a first section to a second section. Due to the high material usage, such guide devices are heavy, complex in design due to the large number of parts, and require significantly more installation space compared to guide rails. Examples of such guide devices can be found in EP 2 451 739 B1 or CN 204224204 U.

[0008] US Patent 1,863,223 A describes a machine for closing bottles, comprising a stationary part and a part movable relative to it. EP 3 507 235 B1 describes a segmented, telescopically adjustable cap channel. These documents disclose devices according to the preamble of claim 1. Description of the invention

[0009] Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closing device, as well as an improved closing device.

[0010] The problem is solved by a device for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closure device, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0011] Accordingly, a device for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closure device, is proposed, comprising a first guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction. The device is further characterized by the fact that a second guide rail extending in the longitudinal direction is provided, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the first guide rail, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail form a guide section of variable length for guiding the container closures.

[0012] By providing a second longitudinally extending guide rail, which is displaceable longitudinally relative to the first guide rail, and by forming a length-adjustable guide track for guiding the container closures between the first and second guide rails, the device can provide different guide lengths without requiring any retooling, in particular replacement. One of the two guide rails can, for example, be connected to a sorting device or an agitator, and the other can be connected to a closing element of a closure device.If the distance between the closing device and the sorting device or the agitator changes, this change in distance can be compensated for by changing the length of the device by moving the first guide rail longitudinally relative to the second guide rail.

[0013] The device thus allows for compensation of a changed distance without the container closures guided in the guide rail experiencing any offset along their guide path. The device therefore enables simple positioning between the sorting device or agitator and the closure device, as was previously only possible with conventional systems by using different guide rails of varying lengths, without requiring a time-consuming retooling process involving the replacement of the guide rail to handle containers of different heights.

[0014] Compared to conventional guide devices, the device described here for guiding container closures has a simplified design. In particular, in combination with the proposed simplified positioning option, the present device can greatly simplify the design of a system incorporating it.

[0015] According to the invention, the guide path is designed as a straight line. Here, the term "straight" is to be understood in a geometric sense. In other words, a "straight line" is the shortest connection between two points.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the first guide rail forms a straight, longitudinally extending first guide section, and the second guide rail forms a straight, longitudinally extending second guide section. The device thus provides a straight guide section, which is essentially formed by the first guide section and the second guide section.

[0017] To achieve a particularly compact design for the device, one of the guide rails can be designed to slide into and extend from the other guide rail. In other words, both the first and second guide rails are designed to be longitudinally telescopic. Accordingly, the device is a longitudinally telescopic device.

[0018] It has proven particularly advantageous to guide the second guide rail within the first guide rail. This prevents the guide rails from tilting against each other when their length changes, i.e., when the first guide rail shifts relative to the second guide rail.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, the first guide rail has two opposing guide elements, each with a guide groove for laterally guiding a container closure, the guide grooves facing each other. This allows for simple lateral guidance of the container closures. Advantageously, the guide elements can also provide vertical guidance of the container closures.

[0020] The vertical direction of a container closure corresponds to a direction from the upper part or cover section of the closure towards an open lower end. In other words, the vertical direction essentially corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the container closed by the closure. The term "lateral" in relation to a container closure is further to be understood as referring radially to the vertical direction.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment, the second guide rail has two opposing guide plates, each forming a guide groove for laterally guiding a container closure, with the guide grooves facing each other. Advantageously, the guide plates can also provide vertical guidance for the container closures.

[0022] According to another preferred embodiment, the guide plates of the second guide rail are guided in the guide grooves of the guide elements of the first guide rail. This allows for a particularly simple and compact design of the device.

[0023] Preferably, the guide grooves are designed as T-slots, with the guide plates being guided in the undercut recess of the T-slot. This essentially eliminates the need for additional elements for guiding and / or positioning the guide plates relative to the guide grooves.

[0024] According to the invention, an external guide, preferably a linear guide, with a telescopic cylinder is provided for guiding the first guide rail and the second guide rail relative to each other in the longitudinal direction. This increases the stability of the device. Furthermore, it reduces the required tolerances between the first and second guide rails.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, the second guide rail has at least one guide segment for guiding a container closure in its vertical direction, preferably two opposing guide segments, wherein the at least one guide segment is preferably arranged between the guide plates of the second guide rail. This allows the second guide rail to provide lateral and vertical guidance of the container closures, while simultaneously having a simple design in which the individual parts of the second guide rail each have simple geometric shapes that can be manufactured easily and with minimal material usage.

[0026] To prevent a container closure from jamming when entering the first guide rail, the guide grooves of the first guide rail can each have a chamfer at their end facing the second guide rail.

[0027] The problem stated above is further solved by a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a bottle with a crown cap, having the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the present description and the figures.

[0028] Accordingly, a closing device for sealing a container with a container closure, preferably for sealing a bottle with a crown cap, is proposed, comprising a closing element for applying a container closure to a container, wherein the height position of the closing element is adjustable to adapt it to different container types to be closed. The closing device is characterized by a device for guiding container closures according to one of the preceding embodiments.

[0029] The closing device allows the advantages and effects described for the device for guiding container closures to be achieved in an analogous manner.

[0030] Furthermore, the above-mentioned task can be solved by a system for treating containers, preferably a filling system for filling containers with a filling product and closing the containers with a container closure.

[0031] Accordingly, a system for treating containers, preferably a filling system for filling containers with a product and sealing the containers with a container closure, is proposed, comprising a filling device for filling a container, a sorting device for sorting container closures, and a closing device for closing a filled container. The system is characterized in that the closing device includes a device for guiding container closures according to one of the embodiments described above. Brief description of the characters

[0032] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show: Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a system for filling containers with a product and for sealing the filled containers with a container closure; Figure 2 schematically shows another side view of the system made of Figure 1 Figure 3 schematically shows a perspective side view of a device for guiding container closures of the system according to the Figures 1 and 2 Figure 4 schematically shows another perspective side view of the device. Figure 3 Figure 5 schematically shows a side view of the device. Figure 3 Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of the device. Figure 4 Figure 7 schematically shows another perspective side view of the device according to the Figures 3 to 6Figure 8 schematically shows a perspective sectional view through the device perpendicular to its longitudinal direction; Figure 9 schematically shows a perspective detail view of a first guide rail of the device. Figure 8 Figure 10 schematically shows a perspective detail view of a second guide rail of the device. Figure 8 ; and Figure 11 schematically shows a perspective detail view of the second guide rail from Figure 10 . Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0033] 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.

[0034] In Figure 1A schematic diagram shows a system 10 for filling containers 8 with a product and sealing the filled containers 8 with a container closure. In this diagram, the containers 8 are in the form of bottles, which are sealed with crown cap closures. For this purpose, the containers 8 are first filled with the product in a filling device (not shown) and then fed to a sealing device 6 via a container feeder 66. The sealing device 6 has a sealing element 60, which is designed to fit a container 8 with a container closure. The sealing element 60 is height-adjustable. Therefore, the height position of the sealing element 60 can be changed, allowing it to be adapted to different container types.The closing device 60 is adjusted to a height position corresponding to the respective container height to adapt it to a specific container type. Figure 1 The closing element 60 is arranged by way of example at a first height position 61, whereby the closing element 60 is configured to provide container 8 with a first container height 80 with a container closure.

[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the filling device (not shown) and the capping device 6 are arranged in a cleanroom 9. A sorting device 7 for sorting container closures is arranged on a cleanroom roof 90 of the cleanroom 9. To feed the container closures sorted in the sorting device 7 to the capping device 6, a device 1 for guiding container closures is arranged between the sorting device 7 and the capping device 6. Thus, the crown caps sorted in the sorting device 7 are fed to the capping device 6 via the device 1.

[0036] The device 1 comprises a first guide rail 3 extending in a longitudinal direction 2 and a second guide rail 4 extending in the longitudinal direction 2, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the first guide rail 3. The first guide rail 3 and the second guide rail 4 form a guide section of variable length for guiding the container closures, the guide section essentially corresponding to a first length 20 of the device 1 shown here.

[0037] The first length 20 is determined by the distance 70 between the sorting device 7 and the current height position 61 of the closing element 60 of the closing device 6.

[0038] The first guide rail 3 forms a straight first guide section extending in longitudinal direction 2, and the second guide rail 4 forms a straight second guide section extending in longitudinal direction 2, as detailed with regard to the Figures 5 and 6 described in more detail.

[0039] In this case, the second guide rail 4 is designed to be inserted into and extended from the first guide rail 3. In other words, the device 1 is designed to be telescopic via the guide rails 3 and 4.

[0040] Figure 2 Annex 10 shows Figure 1, wherein instead of the containers 8 with the first container height 80, containers 8' with a second container height 80' are processed. The second container height 80' differs from the first container height 80. In order to be able to close the containers 8', the closing device 60 has been moved accordingly to a second height position 62. The height difference between the first height position 61 and the second height position 62 is indicated by the reference numeral 64. The distance 70' between the sorting device 7 and the closing device 6 is therefore different from the distance 70 as in Figure 1 shown. Accordingly, the device 1 has a second length 22, which differs from the first length 20. To enable this change in the length of the device 1, the first guide rail 3 and the second guide rail 4 are, compared to Figure 1 in longitudinal direction 2 relative to each other, in order to Figure 2to assume the position shown.

[0041] Figure 3 The device 1 of Annex 10 is shown according to the Figures 1 and 2 schematically shown in a perspective side view, with the device 1 in a fully retracted state. In other words, the second guide rail 4 is inserted into the first guide rail 3 as far as possible. The device 1 therefore has a first length 20, which corresponds to a minimum length of the device 1.

[0042] The second guide rail 4 is, as with regard to the Figures 1 and 2 As already mentioned, the first guide rail is designed to be inserted into and removed from the first guide rail. The second guide rail 4 is guided within the first guide rail 3, as described in more detail below.

[0043] To guide the container closures, the second guide rail 4 has two opposing guide plates 40, each forming a guide groove for laterally guiding a container closure, with the guide grooves facing each other. Based on the illustration in Figure 3 Only one of the two guide plates 40 is visible. The opposite guide plate is concealed by a guide segment 44. This is one of two opposing guide segments 44 for guiding a container closure in its vertical direction, the guide segments 44 being arranged between the guide plates 40 of the second guide rail 4.

[0044] The guide segments 40 have a stop 48 which is guided in a longitudinal slot 36 of the first guide rail 3. The ends of the slot 36, in combination with the stop 48, limit the movement of the second guide rail 4 relative to the first guide rail 3. The ends of the slot 36 thus define the end positions for the second guide rail 4 relative to the first guide rail 3.

[0045] In Figure 4 schematically shows another perspective side view of device 1. Figure 3 shown, with the second guide rail 4 compared to Figure 3 relative to the first guide rail 3 in longitudinal direction 2, such that the stop 48 is against the in Figure 4 The upper end of the elongated hole 36 is shown. The device 1 therefore has a second length 22, which corresponds to a maximum length of the device 1.

[0046] In the Figures 5 and 6Is the device 1 in accordance with the Figures 3 and 4 Each is shown schematically in a side view. Figure 5 The device 1 is shown schematically in a fully retracted state, so that it has the first length 20 described above. In this way, the device 1 provides a guide path in longitudinal direction 2 for container closures guided by the device 1, which essentially corresponds to the first length 20. The first guide rail 3 provides a first guide path section 24, and the second guide rail 4 provides a second guide path section 26, which together form the straight guide path provided by the device 1.

[0047] Accordingly, device 1 features Figure 6A second length 22, different from the first length 20, is shown, which in turn corresponds to a guide section provided by the device 1. It can be seen here that a first guide section 24' provided by the first guide rail 3 in this position of the device 1 corresponds to the guide section 24 in Figure 5 corresponds. The second guide track section 26' provided by the second guide rail 4 differs from the second guide track section 26 as shown in Figure 5 shown, since the second guide rail 4 in Figure 6 compared to Figure 5 is extended from the first guide rail 3. Accordingly, the guide rails 3 and 4 together provide a guide path which essentially corresponds to the second length 22.

[0048] In Figure 7The device 1 of the aforementioned figures is shown schematically in a further perspective side view, in which the device 1 is compared to Figures 3 and 4 The device 1 is shown in a position rotated approximately 90° about its longitudinal direction 2, revealing an additional, outer guide 5. This guide 5 comprises a telescopic cylinder 50, which includes a first telescopic cylinder part 52 connected to the first guide rail 3, and a second telescopic cylinder part 54, which can be inserted into and removed from the first telescopic cylinder part 52 and is connected to the second guide rail 4. The outer guide 5 thus directs the movement of the second guide rail 4 relative to the first guide rail 3 in the longitudinal direction 2.

[0049] In Figure 8 is schematically a perspective sectional view through the device 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2 on the in Figure 7 The height is shown by means of the reference symbol AA.

[0050] Clearly visible are the two opposing guide elements 30, each having a guide groove 32 for laterally guiding a container closure, with the guide grooves 32 facing each other. Also visible are the two opposing guide plates 40, each forming a guide groove 42 for laterally guiding a container closure, with the guide grooves 42 facing each other.

[0051] According to this exemplary embodiment, the guide plates 40 of the second guide rail 4 are guided in the guide grooves 32 of the guide elements 30 of the first guide rail 3. The guide grooves 32 are optionally each designed as a T-slot, with the guide plates 40 each being guided in the undercut recess 34 of the T-slot 32.

[0052] The projections 35 of the guide grooves 32 provide a basic width of the guide grooves 32 that is greater than the height of the container closures to be transferred, but dimensioned such that the projections 35 provide vertical guidance of the container closures. The undercut recesses 34 and the guide plates 40 are designed such that the lateral arms of the guide plates 40 of a guide plate 40 have a distance from each other that is equal to or preferably greater than the basic width provided by the projections 35. This ensures that the container closures are guided vertically essentially exclusively by the first guide rail 3.

[0053] As described above, the second guide rail 4 has guide segments 44 to guide the container closures vertically. The guide segments 44 serve, in particular, to guide the container closures vertically in the second guide segment section 26, 26'. For this purpose, the guide segments 44 are arranged at a distance that essentially corresponds to the basic width of the guide grooves 32.

[0054] To prevent a container closure from jamming when entering the first guide rail 3, the projections 35 at the end of the guide groove 32 facing the second guide rail 4 each have a chamfer 38, as shown in the schematic perspective detail view of the first guide rail 3. Figure 9 to be taken.

[0055] In Figure 10A further perspective detail view of the first guide rail 3 is shown schematically. It is clearly visible that the T-slot shape of the guide groove 32 ends approximately at the level of the lower end of the elongated hole 36. Consequently, the T-slot shape of the guide groove 32 has a finite length. The undercut recess 34 of the guide groove 32 extends so far that the respective guide plate 40, when the device 1 is in its fully inserted position, as shown in the Figures 3 and 5 to be removed, can be inserted unhindered into the first guide rail 3 without colliding with the end of the undercut recess 34.

[0056] In Figure 11A schematic perspective detail view of the second guide rail 4 is shown. The guide plates 40 each have a driver 46, which in this case is optionally designed as a wing extending laterally from the guide plate 40. The drivers 46 enable the guide segments 44 to be moved vertically by the guide plates 40, whereby the stops 48 of the guide segments 44, in conjunction with the elongated hole 36, limit the movement of the second guide rail 4 relative to the first guide rail 3. Reference symbol list

[0057] 1 device 5 guide 50 telescopic cylinder 2 Longitudinal direction 52 First telescopic cylinder part 20 First length 54 Second telescopic cylinder section 22 Second length 24, 24' First section of the guide route 6 Locking device 26, 26' Second section of the guide route 60 Closing mechanism 61 First elevation position 3 First guide rail 62 Second altitude position 30 Guide element 64 Elevation difference 32 Guide groove 66 Container feed 34 Undercut recess 35 projection 7 Sorting device 36 Slotted hole 70, 70' Distance 38 chamfer 8, 8' container 4 Second guide rail 80, 80' Container height 40 Guide plate 42 Guide groove 9 cleanroom 44 Management segment 90 Cleanroom roof 46 drive 10 Attachment 48 stop

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closure apparatus (6), comprising a first guide rail (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (2), wherein a second guide rail (4) extending in the longitudinal direction (2) is provided, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (2) relative to the first guide rail (3), wherein a length-variable, straight guide path for guiding the container closures is formed by the first guide rail (3) and the second guide rail (4), characterized by an outer guide (5) comprising a telescopic cylinder (50) for guiding the first guide rail (3) and the second guide rail (4) relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (2).

2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first guide rail (3) forms a straight first guide section (24) extending in the longitudinal direction (2) and the second guide rail (4) forms a straight second guide section (26) extending in the longitudinal direction (2).

3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the guide rails (3, 4) can be inserted into and removed from the other guide rail (4, 3).

4. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide rail (4) is guided in the first guide rail (3).

5. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide rail (3) has two opposing guide elements (30), each having a guide groove (32) for laterally guiding a container closure, wherein the guide grooves (32) face each other.

6. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide rail (4) has two opposing guide plates (40), each forming a guide groove (42) for laterally guiding a container closure, wherein the guide grooves (42) face each other.

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, when referring back to claim 5, characterized in that the guide plates (40) of the second guide rail (4) are guided in the guide grooves (32) of the guide elements (30) of the first guide rail (3).

8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide grooves (32) are in the form of a T-slot, wherein the guide plates (40) are guided in the undercut recess (34) of the T-slot.

9. The apparatus (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide rail (4) has at least one guide segment (44) for guiding a container closure in its vertical direction, preferably two opposing guide segments (44), wherein the at least one guide segment (44) is preferably arranged between the guide plates (40) of the second guide rail (4).

10. A closing apparatus (6) for closing a container (8) with a container closure, preferably for closing a bottle with a crown cap, comprising a closing member (60) for applying a container closure to a container (8), wherein a vertical position (61, 62) of the closing member (60) can be changed in order to adapt the vertical position (61, 62) of the closing member (60) to different types of containers to be closed, characterized by an apparatus (1) for guiding container closures according to any of the preceding claims.

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