Closing device for closing a container with a closure and method for monitoring a closing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a closing device (1) for closing a container with a container closure (110), for example for closing a container with a screw cap in a beverage filling plant, comprising a gripping mechanism (2) for gripping the container closure (110) with at least one gripping arm (3) pivotable about a bearing (4) and an actuating unit (6) for actuating the gripping mechanism (2), wherein a detection unit (10) for detecting a stroke of a lifting element (7) of the actuating unit (6) acting on the gripping mechanism (2); it further relates to a corresponding method.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling plant, and to a method for monitoring a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling plant. State of the art

[0002] Closing devices for closing containers with a container closure are well known in the art. For example, a container closure fed via a pick wheel is gripped by the pick wheel's clamping jaws of a gripping mechanism and then held on the closing device by the gripping mechanism. The closing device's closing head, which holds the container closure, is then positioned over the container to be closed and lowered onto it to close the container with the container closure. If a screw closure is to be applied to the container, the closing head undergoes a rotational movement in addition to the lowering movement. The combination of lowering and rotation allows the screw closure to be screwed onto the container.

[0003] Furthermore, the state of the art provides systems that allow the replacement of closure-related components of the closing device, such as parts of the gripping mechanism, to enable the application of container closures of different geometries using the same closing head. Replacing these components is complex.

[0004] EP 0 876 991 B1 discloses a device for screwing a cap onto a container neck, which comprises gripping means pivotable about horizontal axes and provided with clamping jaws for clamping the cap. A similar design is shown by a screwing and rolling head for attaching threaded caps, which is known from EP 1 908 725 B1.

[0005] US Pat. No. 5,851,042 A discloses a clamping bush for gripping container lids, which can be quickly exchanged using a locking pin on a closure gripping system. To clamp the container lids, the segments of the clamping bush are bent inward by a pressure cylinder to enable gripping of the container lid.

[0006] The gripping mechanism of a closure device can be actuated by an actuating unit. For example, the gripping mechanism can be preloaded into a certain position and moved by the actuating unit to another position, such as an open position.

[0007] The gripping mechanism, or more precisely its mechanical and / or pneumatic or hydraulic components, is subject to wear, for example, due to abrasion caused by relative movements or when gripping and holding the container closure. Due to this wear, the mechanically specified switching times of the gripping mechanism change over time, so that, for a single closure device, the times of gripping and releasing the container closure may deviate from the intended time. Considered across multiple closure devices of a container closure device, the switching times may increasingly deviate from one another.

[0008] In addition, when setting up a container closing system comprising multiple closing devices, the gripping mechanism is parameterized the same across all closing devices or closing heads and must be readjusted and adjusted when changing types. Even within the closing devices of a container closing system, even with the same control time settings, different actual closing and opening times can occur, for example, due to different pneumatic line lengths, line losses, and / or tolerances or dimensional deviations in mechanical parts. Description of the invention

[0009] Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling plant, as well as a corresponding method.

[0010] The object is achieved by a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure, in a beverage filling system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the figures.

[0011] Accordingly, a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling plant, is proposed, comprising a gripping mechanism for gripping the container closure with at least one gripping arm pivotable about a bearing and an actuating unit for actuating the gripping mechanism.

[0012] More specifically, the actuating unit can be configured to actuate at least one gripping arm of the gripping mechanism, for example to pivot at least one gripping arm, in other words to control a pivoting position of at least one gripping arm.

[0013] According to the invention, the closing device further comprises a detection unit for detecting a stroke of a lifting element of the actuating unit acting on the gripping mechanism.

[0014] By measuring the stroke, various parameters can be determined, which in turn allow conclusions to be drawn, for example, about the actual switching times of the gripping mechanism. This can, in turn, be used to achieve higher system performance of a container closing device that includes the closing device. The measured stroke can also be used to obtain information regarding the condition monitoring of the closing device, particularly with regard to the parts of the gripping mechanism.

[0015] By processing the measured stroke, parameters of the closing device, such as the closing time and the opening time, can be automatically determined depending on the type of container closure currently being processed.

[0016] Detecting the stroke also allows conclusions to be drawn about the current wear of the closing device, especially when the currently measured stroke, especially the stroke at the time of closing and / or opening of the gripping mechanism, is compared with values ​​recorded initially, for example, during or shortly after setup. Accordingly, wear limits can be determined to plan or initiate the replacement of wear-prone parts of the closing device.

[0017] In addition, the detection of the stroke can be used to detect system errors in the programming, mechanics and / or pneumatics of the closing device and / or the container closing device comprising it.

[0018] The recorded stroke values ​​can also be used to determine further data for the digitalization of the closing process.

[0019] The closing device can optionally comprise an evaluation unit for determining at least one of the above parameters. Alternatively, the container closing device can also comprise such an evaluation unit. Furthermore, alternatively, a central system control system for a container treatment system can be provided.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the detection unit can comprise at least one sensor, for example, a non-contact sensor. This can be, for example, a displacement sensor, for example, in the form of a Hall sensor.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the actuating unit can be designed as an actuating cylinder. In this case, the lifting element can be a cylinder piston of the actuating cylinder.

[0022] To facilitate the detection of the stroke, a reference element can be arranged on the lifting element, optionally extending perpendicular to the stroke direction of the lifting element. The reference element can serve as a reference for the sensor used. For example, a displacement sensor or distance sensor can measure the distance between it and the reference element, with the stroke being based on or corresponding to the measured distance or a change in the distance.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the closing device may further comprise a control unit which is configured to determine at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism based on at least one signal from the detection unit.

[0024] The state variable can be indicative of wear of the gripping mechanism or correspond to wear of the gripping mechanism. In other words, the control unit can be configured to use the determined state variable to draw conclusions about the condition and / or existing wear of the gripping mechanism and, in turn, to use this state variable as a data basis, for example, to output a warning and / or control signals in response to the processing of the determined state variable.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to initiate an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device based on at least one signal of the detection unit and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein optionally at least one operating parameter is a control point and / or switching time for controlling the lifting element.

[0026] Accordingly, the proposed closing device can be individually adapted. This is particularly advantageous when a plurality of gripping mechanisms or a plurality of closing devices are provided on a container closing device.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the control unit can be configured to output a message, for example a warning message, an error message and / or an information message, for example a status message, based on at least one signal from the detection unit and / or at least one determined state variable.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the gripping mechanism may comprise a control element which is displaceable in the direction of the stroke of the lifting element and which is coupled to the at least one gripping arm for controlling the position of the at least one gripping arm.

[0029] Furthermore, the closing device can comprise a lifting unit for raising and lowering the gripping mechanism in a displacement direction.

[0030] Optionally, the lifting unit can comprise a fastening part for attachment to a transport unit of a container handling device and a moving part that can be displaced relative to the fastening part in a displacement direction, wherein the moving part is connected to the gripping mechanism. The moving part can comprise the actuating unit.

[0031] A particularly simple structure can be achieved if the displacement direction and the lifting direction of the lifting element are oriented parallel, whereby a central longitudinal axis of the moving part and a central axis of the lifting element can be concentric to each other.

[0032] The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a method for monitoring a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling system, with the features of claim 11. Advantageous developments of the method emerge from the subclaims as well as the present description and the figures.

[0033] Accordingly, a method for monitoring a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling plant, which comprises a gripping mechanism for gripping a container closure with at least one gripping arm pivotable about a bearing and an actuating unit for actuating the gripping mechanism, is proposed.

[0034] According to the method, a stroke of a lifting element of the actuating unit acting on the gripping mechanism is detected.

[0035] The method allows the advantages and effects described with regard to the closing device to be achieved in an analogous manner. A repetitive description of these is omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0036] According to a further development of the method, at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism can be determined based on the detected stroke.

[0037] According to a further development of the method, the state variable can be indicative of wear of the gripping mechanism or correspond to wear of the gripping mechanism.

[0038] According to a further development of the method, an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device can be carried out based on the determined stroke and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein optionally at least one operating parameter is a control point and / or switching time for controlling the lifting element.

[0039] According to a further development of the method, a message, for example a warning message, an error message and / or an information message, for example a status message, can be output based on the determined stroke and / or at least one determined state variable. Short description of the characters

[0040] Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective side view of a container closing device for closing containers each with a container closure; Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective side view of a closing device of the container closing device from Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows a sectional view through a lower part of the closing device; Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective detail view of the closing device; Figure 5 shows a schematic further view of the detail from Figure 4 ; and Figure 6 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method for monitoring the closing device according to the Figures 1 to 5 . Detailed description of advantageous embodiments

[0041] Advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancies.

[0042] In Figure 1 is a schematic perspective side view of a container closing device 100 designed in a rotary type for closing containers with one container closure each.

[0043] The container closing device 100 comprises a frame 101 on which a treatment carousel 102 is arranged to rotate about a rotation axis 103.

[0044] The treatment carousel 102 comprises a plurality of closing devices 1 for closing a container with a container closure, which are arranged at equal distances from one another on the circumference of the treatment carousel 102.

[0045] The container closure device 100 comprises a sealing section 104, which serves as a separation between a treatment room designed as a clean room below the sealing section 104 and a grey room above the sealing section 104.

[0046] Figure 2 shows schematically a perspective side view of a closing device 1 of the container closing device 100 from Figure 1 . Figure 3 shows a sectional view through a lower part 17 of the closing device 1.

[0047] The closing device 1 is designed and configured for closing a container with a container closure 110, in this case for closing a container with a screw cap 110 in a beverage filling system. It comprises a gripping mechanism 2 for gripping the container closure 110, with, in this case, three gripping arms 3, each pivotable about a bearing 4.

[0048] It further comprises an actuating unit 6 for actuating the gripping mechanism 2.

[0049] More precisely, the actuating unit 6 is designed and configured to actuate the gripping arms 3 of the gripping mechanism 2. The actuating unit 6 controls pivoting of the gripping arms 3.

[0050] The closing device 1 further comprises a detection unit 10 for detecting a stroke of a lifting element 7 acting on the gripping mechanism 2 (see Figure 3 ) of the actuating unit 6, as described below with regard to the Figures 4 and 5explained in more detail.

[0051] The gripping mechanism 2 further comprises a control element 8 or coupling element which is displaceable in the direction of the stroke of the lifting element 7 and which is coupled to the gripping arms 3 with a control element for controlling the position of the gripping arms 3.

[0052] The gripping arms 3 are each pivotally mounted about the bearing 4. They are coupled to the lifting element 7 via the control element 8 in such a way that a lowering of the lifting element 7, i.e. a movement of the lifting element 7 in the direction of the space provided for receiving the container closure 110 between the gripping arms 3, as indicated by the continuous arrows in Figure 3As indicated, an opening of the gripping mechanism 2, i.e. a pivoting of the gripping arms 3 into an open position, is required. A lifting of the lifting element 7, i.e. a movement of the lifting element 7 away from the space provided for receiving the container closure 110 between the gripping arms 3, as indicated by the dashed arrows in Figure 3 indicated, therefore requires the gripping mechanism 2 to close.

[0053] The actuating unit 6 is designed as an actuating cylinder and the lifting element 7 is a cylinder piston.

[0054] The closing device 1 comprises a lifting unit 12 for raising and lowering the gripping mechanism 2 in a displacement direction 13. The lifting unit 12 comprises a fastening part 14 for fastening to the treatment carousel 102, which represents a transport unit. It further comprises a moving part 15 that can be moved relative to the fastening part 14 in the displacement direction 13. The moving part 15 is connected to the gripping mechanism 2 or comprises it and also comprises the actuating unit 6. The position of the moving part 15 relative to the fastening part 14 is predetermined by a guide 106 on the frame 101, which is designed here as a slotted guide and on which a guide roller 21 arranged on the moving part 15 is guided.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the displacement direction 13 (see Figure 2) of the stroke direction 16 of the lifting element 7. The stroke direction 16 and the displacement direction 13 are thus oriented parallel. In this case, the displacement direction 13, which represents a central longitudinal axis of the moving part 15, and the stroke direction 16, which represents a central axis of the lifting element 7, are concentric with each other.

[0056] The container closure 110 is held radially by the gripping arms 3. It rests on a stop 5 at its front end, which can also be used to apply the head pressure required to apply the container closure 110 to a container.

[0057] As already mentioned above, the closing device 1 is designed for applying a screw cap. Accordingly, a lower part 17 of the moving part 15 is designed to be rotatable about the displacement direction 13. The rotational movement is determined by a motor 18, here an electric motor, which is coupled to the rotatable part 17 of the moving part 15 via a gear 19.

[0058] When designed to apply a push-on closure, the turning function is either omitted or blocked.

[0059] The movements of the lifting element 7 and thus the movements of the gripper arms 3 are controlled via a pneumatic connection 20.

[0060] Figure 4 shows schematically a perspective detailed view of the closing device 1. Figure 5 shows schematically another view of the detail from Figure 4 .

[0061] The detection unit 10 already mentioned above comprises a contactless measuring sensor 30, which is optionally designed here as a displacement sensor, according to this optional embodiment in the form of a Hall sensor.

[0062] The sensor 30 is configured to detect a path or distance 32 of the sensor 30 to a reference element 31.

[0063] The sensor 30 is arranged on the moving part 15, in which the lifting element 7 is displaceable relative to the moving part 15 (see Figure 3 ).

[0064] The reference element 31 is arranged on the lifting element 7 oriented perpendicular to the lifting direction 16 of the lifting element 7.

[0065] The closing device 1 further comprises a Figure 4 schematically indicated control unit 33, which is configured to determine at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism 2 based on at least one signal from the detection unit 10.

[0066] Here the state variable is indicative of wear of the gripping mechanism 2.

[0067] The control unit 33 is configured to initiate an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device 1 based on at least one signal from the detection unit 10 and / or at least one determined state variable.

[0068] The operating parameter can be a control point and / or a switching time for controlling the lifting element.

[0069] The control unit 33 is further configured to output various messages, here warning messages, error messages and information messages, for example status messages, based on at least one signal from the detection unit 10 and / or at least one determined state variable.

[0070] The control unit 33 or its functionality can alternatively also be at least partially integrated into a central control 105 of the container treatment device 100.

[0071] Out of Figure 6 a method for monitoring the closing device 1 for closing a container with a container closure according to the above-mentioned figures is shown.

[0072] The method comprises, in a step S10, detecting the stroke of the lifting element 7 of the actuating unit 6 acting on the gripping mechanism 2.

[0073] In step S12, at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism 2 is determined based on the detected stroke.

[0074] The state variable is indicative of wear of the gripping mechanism.

[0075] In step S14, at least one operating parameter of the closing device is adjusted based on the determined stroke and / or at least one determined state variable.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the operating parameters are a control point and a switching time for controlling the lifting element 7.

[0077] In step S16, a check is made to determine whether a message flag should be activated based on the determined stroke and / or at least one determined state variable. Depending on the activated message flag, a message, for example a warning message, an error message, or an information message, here embodied as a status message, is output (S18).

[0078] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0079] 1Closing device 2Gripping mechanism 3Gripper arm 4Bearing 5Stop 6Actuating unit 7Lifting element 8Control part 10Detection unit 12Lifting unit 13Displacement direction 14Fastening part 15Moving part 16Lifting direction 17Lower, rotatable part 18Motor 19Gearbox 20Pneumatic connection 21Guide roller 30Sensor 31Reference element 32Distance 33Control unit 100Container treatment device 101Frame 102Treatment carousel 103Rotary axis 104Sealing section 105Guide 110Container closure

Claims

1. Closing device (1) for closing a container with a container closure (110), preferably for closing a container with a screw closure in a beverage filling plant, comprising a gripping mechanism (2) for gripping the container closure (110) with at least one gripping arm (3) pivotable about a bearing (4) and an actuating unit (6) for actuating the gripping mechanism (2), characterized by a detection unit (10) for detecting a stroke of a lifting element (7) of the actuating unit (6) acting on the gripping mechanism (2).

2. Closing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit (10) comprises at least one preferably contactless measuring sensor (30), preferably a displacement sensor, particularly preferably a Hall sensor.

3. Closing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe actuating unit (6) is designed as an actuating cylinder and the lifting element (7) is a cylinder piston.

4. Closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a reference element (31) extending preferably perpendicular to the lifting direction (16) of the lifting element (7) is arranged on the lifting element (7).

5. Closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing device (1) further comprises a control unit (33) which is configured to determine at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism (2) based on at least one signal from the detection unit (10).

6. Closing device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the state variable is indicative of wear of the gripping mechanism (2) or corresponds to wear of the gripping mechanism (2).

7. Closing device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in thatthe control unit (33) is configured to initiate an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device (1) based on at least one signal from the detection unit (10) and / or at least one determined state variable, wherein preferably at least one operating parameter is a control point and / or switching time for controlling the lifting element (7).

8. Closing device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the control unit (33) is configured to output a message, preferably a warning message, an error message and / or an information message, for example a status message, based on at least one signal from the detection unit (10) and / or at least one determined state variable.

9. Closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe gripping mechanism (2) comprises a control element (8) which is displaceable in the direction of the stroke of the lifting element (7) and which is coupled to the at least one gripping arm (3) for controlling the position of the at least one gripping arm (3).

10. Closing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe closing device (1) comprises a lifting unit (12) for lifting and lowering the gripping mechanism (2) in a displacement direction (13), wherein the lifting unit (12) preferably comprises a fastening part (14) for fastening to a transport unit of a container treatment device (100) and a moving part (15) which is displaceable relative to the fastening part (14) in the displacement direction (13), wherein the moving part (15) is connected to the gripping mechanism (2) or comprises it and preferably comprises the actuating unit (6), wherein the displacement direction (13) and the lifting direction (16) of the lifting element (7) are preferably oriented parallel, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the moving part (15) and a central axis of the lifting element (7) are preferably concentric to one another.

11. Method for monitoring a closing device (1) for closing a container with a container closure (110), preferably for closing a container with a push-on closure or a screw closure in a beverage filling plant, which comprises a gripping mechanism (2) for gripping a container closure (110) with at least one gripping arm (3) pivotable about a bearing (4) and an actuating unit (6) for actuating the gripping mechanism (2), characterized by a stroke of a lifting element (7) of the actuating unit (6) acting on the gripping mechanism (2) is detected.

12. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that based on the detected stroke, at least one state variable of the gripping mechanism (2) is determined.

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in thatthe state variable is indicative of wear of the gripping mechanism (2) or corresponds to wear of the gripping mechanism (2).

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that based on the determined stroke and / or at least one determined state variable, an adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the closing device (1) takes place, wherein preferably at least one operating parameter is a control point and / or switching time for controlling the lifting element (7).

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that based on the determined stroke and / or at least one determined state variable, a message, preferably a warning message, an error message and / or an information message, for example a status message, is output.

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