Sealing device, in particular pre-sealing device, for connecting at least parts of closures, in particular lids, to containers, in particular cups, and corresponding method

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealing device, in particular a pre-sealing device, for connecting at least parts of closures (12a; 12b; 12c), in particular lids, to containers (14a; 14b; 14c), in particular cups, said sealing device comprising: at least one sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c), in particular a pre-sealing unit, which has at least one sealing element (18a, 20a; 18b, 20b; 18c, 20c) which is in particular movably mounted and which is designed to act on a closure (12a; 12b; 12c) by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force in order to connect at least parts of the closure (12a; 12b; 12c) to a container (14a; 14b; 14c); and at least one electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22a; 22b; 22c) which has at least one conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c), in particular a mover, at which, more particularly on which, the container (14a; 14b; 14c) can be arranged and which is designed to position the container (14a; 14b; 14c) relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c). According to the invention, the sealing device comprises at least one sensor unit (26a; 26b; 26c), in particular arranged in the vicinity of the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c), for detecting a position of the container (14a; 14b; 14c) arranged at, in particular on, the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c) and / or relative to the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Sealing device, in particular pre-sealing device, for at least partially connecting closures, in particular lids, and containers, in particular cups, and corresponding method

[0003] State of the art

[0004] The invention relates to a sealing device for at least partially connecting closures and containers, having at least one sealing unit which comprises at least one sealing element which is intended to act on a closure by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force to at least partially connect the closure to a container.

[0005] Sealing devices are already known in which containers are arranged in format-specific receptacles, in so-called cell boards. The receptacles can be moved, for example, by means of transport chains along predetermined paths of movement, particularly in one plane. The transport of the receptacles and thus the containers can be continuous or intermittent with the known sealing devices. Flexible transport of the containers is not possible using the known sealing devices, since the transport chains only allow transport in one plane, and all the receptacles transported by the transport chain can only be moved or stopped together.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2016 111 357 Al, DE 10 2012 004 372 Al and

[0007] US 2022 / 0402638 A1 already discloses sealing devices for at least partially connecting closures and containers, wherein the already known sealing devices each comprise at least one sealing unit which comprises at least one sealing element which is provided for acting by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force on a closure for at least partially connecting the closure to a container, and at least one electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit which has at least one conveying element on which the container can be arranged and which is provided for positioning the container relative to the sealing unit.

[0008] The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a generic sealing device and a generic method with improved properties regarding flexibility and / or precision within a transport and / or sealing process. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1 and claim 8, respectively, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The invention is based on a sealing device, in particular a pre-sealing device, for at least partially connecting closures, in particular lids, and containers, in particular cups, with at least one sealing unit, in particular a pre-sealing unit, which comprises at least one, in particular movably mounted, sealing element, which is provided for acting by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force on a closure to at least partially connect the closure to a container, and with at least one electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit, which has at least one conveying element, in particular a mover, on, in particular onto which the container can be arranged and which is provided for positioning the container relative to the sealing unit.

[0011] It is proposed that the sealing device comprise at least one sensor unit, in particular arranged in the vicinity of the sealing unit, for detecting a position of the container arranged on, in particular on, the conveying element relative to the sealing unit and / or relative to the conveying element. By means of the configuration according to the invention, a high degree of flexibility can advantageously be realized within a transport and / or sealing process. Precise positioning of the containers can advantageously be enabled, in particular because the linear or planar drive unit has a high degree of movement precision, in particular with an accuracy in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter. Reliable pre-sealing of the closures on the containers can advantageously be enabled, in which the closures are partially connected to a container edge.Advantageously, a precise alignment of the closure and the container relative to the sealing element can be realized. Advantageously, a processing of containers and closures within a large tolerance range can be enabled, in particular since deviations from tolerances, preferably even outside permissible tolerance ranges, can advantageously be compensated for by a movement of the conveying element, in particular the mover. Advantageously, the effort and costs for new designs in the event of changes to tolerance ranges or changes to the formats to be processed can be kept low or even avoided, in particular since the individual movement option of the conveying element, in particular the mover, makes advantageous adaptation to new tolerance ranges or changed formats easy to implement.

[0012] The sealing unit is preferably provided for locally bonding a closure arranged on the container, in particular loosely, to the container by means of a force and / or energy transfer. The sealing unit preferably has a mode of operation and / or design already known to a person skilled in the art. The sealing unit can be designed as a heat-sealing unit, as a high-frequency sealing unit, such as a sonotrode sealing unit or the like, or as another sealing unit deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art, which is provided for locally bonding a closure arranged on the container, in particular loosely, to the container by means of vibrations, heat and / or force.The sealing unit is preferably designed as a pre-sealing unit, which is intended to bond a closure loosely arranged on the container to the container at least in places by means of vibrations, heat, and / or force. Preferably, the sealing device comprises a further sealing unit, in particular a final sealing unit, which is intended to bond the closure, which is bonded to the container in places by means of the pre-sealing unit, to the container in such a way that the container is sealed in a fluid-tight manner. The further sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit, is preferably designed as a separate processing station.Preferably, the container can be transported to the sealing unit, in particular the end sealing unit, for processing by means of the further sealing unit, in particular the end sealing unit, by means of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit.

[0013] The sealing unit preferably comprises at least one drive element for moving the sealing element along a sealing direction, in particular toward the container, preferably along a vertical direction. The drive element is particularly intended to bring the sealing element into physical contact with the closure for sealing the closure and the container and, in particular, to remove it from the closure after sealing. The drive element is preferably designed as a linear drive, a stepper motor, a servo drive, or as a further conveyor element, in particular as a further mover, of the linear or planar drive unit. "Provided" is to be understood in particular as specifically programmed, specifically configured, specifically designed, and / or specifically equipped.The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state. The sealing element preferably has a sealing surface which is smaller than the total surface of a container rim upper side of a container rim of the container, in particular in order to enable a local connection of the closure to the container along the container rim upper side when the closure is pre-sealed to the container. The container rim upper side is preferably a side of the container which faces away from a standing side of the container, by means of which the container can be arranged, in particular stands, on, the conveying element, in particular the mover.The sealing unit is preferably provided for symmetrical force introduction onto the closure and / or the container, in particular to counteract tipping of the container during a sealing process. For example, the sealing unit can comprise a plurality of sealing elements that are arranged symmetrically, in particular to enable symmetrical force introduction. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the sealing element to have a self-contained shape, such as a circular ring, a cuboid frame, or the like, and to have at least two sealing surfaces arranged symmetrically to the shape, in particular to enable symmetrical force introduction. Other embodiments and / or arrangements of one or more sealing elements of the sealing unit to enable symmetrical force introduction that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.

[0014] The electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit preferably has a design already known to a person skilled in the art. The electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit preferably comprises a plurality of, in particular horizontally aligned, linear motion elements or planar motion elements, which are equipped with electromagnetic drive elements and are connected to one another, in particular to jointly form a movement path or a planar movement plane. The electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit preferably comprises a plurality of conveying elements, in particular movers, which are movable relative to the linear motion elements or planar motion elements, in particular contactlessly, in particular as a result of an interaction of permanent magnets of the conveying elements, in particular the movers, with the electromagnetic drive elements of the linear motion elements or the planar motion elements.In particular, the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit can detect and evaluate a position of the individual conveying elements, in particular of the individual movers, relative to the linear motion elements or to the surface motion elements in a manner already known to a person skilled in the art, in order to control or regulate a movement of the conveying elements, in particular of the movers. Regarding a basic mode of operation and / or a basic design of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit of the sealing device according to the invention, reference is made, for example, to the products XTS (linear transport system) and XPIanar (planar transport system) from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG or to the product XBot® (planar transport system) from Planar Motor Inc.Products can be handled particularly flexibly using the mover or movers of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit. The conveying element preferably has at least two degrees of freedom, preferably more than two degrees of freedom, and particularly preferably six degrees of freedom. Most preferably, the sealing device comprises the electrodynamic planar drive unit.

[0015] It is conceivable that the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit is provided, in particular solely, for transporting the container in the vicinity of the sealing unit or that the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit is provided for transporting the container through a production machine which at least substantially entirely comprises the sealing device. In one embodiment of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit, in particular solely, for transport in the vicinity of the sealing unit, it is conceivable that the production machine has a transport device, such as a transport chain or the like, and a handling device, such as a gripper unit or the like, by means of which the container can be removed, for example, from a format-specific holder which can be conveyed by means of the transport device, such as a cell board or the like., are removable and can be fed to the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit and, in particular, can be transferred back to the format-specific holder after pre-sealing. Other transport options within the production machine that appear appropriate to a specialist, in particular for feeding or removing to or from individual processing stations of the production machine, are also conceivable.

[0016] Preferably, the conveying element, in particular the mover, is provided to move the container relative to the sealing unit, in particular to align the container arranged on the conveying element, preferably together with the closure arranged on the container, relative to the sealing element. It is conceivable that several containers can be arranged on the conveying element simultaneously or that only a single container can be arranged on the conveying element. If several containers are arranged simultaneously on the conveying element, each individual container arranged on the conveying element is preferably individually positioned relative to the sealing unit, or the sealing unit is designed such that the containers arranged on the conveying element can be positioned together relative to the sealing unit and the sealing unit can process all of the containers arranged on the conveying element, in particular simultaneously.Other functionalities of the conveying element and / or the sealing unit that appear sensible to a specialist are also conceivable.

[0017] A “near range” should be understood in particular as an area which has a maximum distance of in particular less than 100 cm, preferably less than 50 cm and particularly preferably less than 25 cm relative to a reference unit and / or to a reference element, such as the sealing unit mentioned in the sentence above, or an area in which a reference unit and / or a reference element, such as the sealing unit mentioned in the sentence above, is arranged and the area has a maximum extent, in particular a maximum diameter, which is less than 200 cm, preferably less than 100 cm and particularly preferably less than 50 cm. The sensor unit is preferably designed as an optical sensor unit, such as a camera, a light barrier unit or the like.However, it is also conceivable for the sensor unit to have a different design that would appear expedient to a person skilled in the art, such as a design as a capacitive or inductive area sensor unit, as a distance sensor unit, or the like. Preferably, the sensor unit is connected, in particular via data or signal technology, to a control or regulating unit of the sealing device, in particular the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit or the production machine. Preferably, the data or signals acquired by the sensor unit can be evaluated by the control or regulating unit, in particular for controlling or regulating a movement of the conveying element relative to the sealing unit, preferably as a function of the position of the container on the conveying element. A “control or regulating unit” is to be understood in particular as a unit with at least one control electronics unit.The term “control electronics” should be understood in particular to mean a unit with a processor unit and a memory unit as well as with an operating program stored in the memory unit. The sensor unit is preferably provided to detect an arrangement of the container relative to at least one outer edge of the conveying element or to at least one outer edge of a container receptacle of the conveying element, in particular in order to be able to determine a position of the container on the conveying element by means of the control or regulating unit. It is also conceivable that, based on the data detected by the sensor unit, an orientation of the container, such as an inclination of the container relative to the conveying element, a rotational position of the container relative to the conveying element, or the like, can be evaluated in a state arranged on the conveying element, in particular in order to detect, for example, an incorrect position of the container, an orientation of a handle or grip of the container, or the like.to be able to determine. By means of the configuration according to the invention, a precise positioning of the container relative to the sealing unit can advantageously be enabled by means of the conveyor element. A precise alignment of the closure and the container relative to the sealing element can advantageously be realized. A high degree of flexibility of the sealing device can advantageously be enabled, since an inaccurate positioning of a container on the conveyor element can be detected by means of the sensor unit, and this inaccuracy can advantageously be compensated for by a movement of the conveyor element relative to the sealing element.

[0018] It is further proposed that the sealing device comprise at least one closure transfer unit, which is intended to transfer the closure from a closure storage device, in particular a lid magazine, to the container, in particular to place it onto the container, wherein the container can be positioned by means of the conveying element relative to a transfer element, in particular a vacuum gripper, of the closure transfer unit. The closure transfer unit is preferably designed as a vacuum gripper unit. However, it is also conceivable for the closure transfer unit to have another design that would appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as, for example, a design as a mechanical gripper unit or the like.The closure transfer unit is preferably designed to place a closure from the closure storage unit, in particular the lid magazine, onto the container. The container is arranged on the conveyor element and, in particular, can be aligned relative to the closure transfer unit by means of the conveyor element, preferably to advantageously realize a central positioning of the closure on the container. The closure transfer unit, in particular the transfer element, can be movably mounted on a frame of the sealing device or movably mounted on the closure storage unit, or can be designed to be movable relative to the frame and / or the closure storage unit by means of a separate conveyor element of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit.The transfer element is preferably dimensioned such that it can be moved in and out of an intermediate space between the sealing elements, in particular to enable a particularly space-saving and compact design of the closure transfer unit. It is also conceivable in at least one exemplary embodiment of the sealing device for the sealing device to be designed independently of the closure transfer unit and for the container to be positionable relative to the closure storage device by means of the conveying element, wherein a closure can be transferred to the container, in particular placed onto the container, in particular by means of a separating element of the closure storage device. It is conceivable for the sensor unit and / or the sealing unit, in particular the pre-sealing unit, to be arranged on the closure storage device, in particular in order to be able to pre-seal the closure directly after it has been transferred to the container and / or to be able to eliminate the closure transfer unit.For example, the container is vertically movable by means of the conveying element, in particular in the direction of the closure storage, in order to transfer the closure from the closure storage to the container. In particular, after the closure has been transferred to the container, the container is vertically movable by means of the conveying element, in particular in a direction away from the closure storage, until the conveying element comes into contact with one of the linear movement elements or surface movement elements. The sealing element of the sealing unit arranged on the closure storage is movable in the direction of the container in order to pre-seal the closure on the container. Further configurations and / or functions of the closure transfer unit, the closure storage, and / or the conveying element that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.It is conceivable that a position and / or an orientation of the closure can be stored by the closure transfer unit as a reference point / zero position, which can be evaluated when the closure is arranged on the container or which can be evaluated for positioning the conveyor element relative to the closure transfer unit. The configuration according to the invention advantageously enables precise positioning of the containers. A precise alignment of the closure and the container relative to the sealing element can advantageously be realized. A sealing device with a high degree of flexibility can advantageously be provided.

[0019] Furthermore, in particular in at least one exemplary embodiment of the sealing device, it is proposed that the conveying element have a variably adjustable container receptacle, the receptacle dimensions of which, in particular the receptacle height and / or receptacle width, can be adjusted depending on at least one dimension of the container that can be arranged, in particular is arranged, on the conveying element. Preferably, at least the standing side of the container can be arranged in the container receptacle. The container receptacle comprises, for example, at least one lateral support element that is intended to prevent the container from slipping when the container is arranged on the conveying element, or at least to counteract slipping. Preferably, the lateral support element is arranged on the conveying element in a positionally adjustable manner. The lateral support element can be arranged on the conveying element in such a way that its position can be adjusted continuously or in steps.It is also conceivable for the container receptacle to comprise a plurality of lateral support elements arranged on the conveying element in a positionally adjustable manner. For example, two lateral support elements of the container receptacle are automatically or manually mounted so as to be movable relative to one another for adaptation to a container's transverse extent, in particular a cup diameter, in order to enable advantageous lateral support of the container during transport and / or advantageously secure vertical support during pre-sealing. It is also conceivable for the lateral support element(s) to be arranged in a fixed position on the conveying element, in particular to be arranged interchangeably on the conveying element, or to be formed integrally with the conveying element.The term “one-piece” should be understood in particular to mean at least materially connected, for example by a welding process, an adhesive process, an injection molding process and / or another process that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art, and / or advantageously formed in one piece, for example by production from a single casting and / or by production using a single-component or multi-component injection molding process and advantageously from a single blank. Alternatively or in addition to the container receptacle, it is conceivable for the conveying element to have a contact surface against which the upright side of the container rests when the container is arranged on the conveying element, wherein the contact surface has an adhesive coating in order to influence friction between the container and the conveying element. The design according to the invention can advantageously enable containers to be arranged securely on the conveying element.This advantageously enables flexible adjustment of the container holder to accommodate different container formats. This advantageously enables precise positioning of the containers. This advantageously enables precise alignment of the closure and the container relative to the sealing element.

[0020] Furthermore, in particular in at least one embodiment of the sealing device, it is proposed that the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit has at least one sealing tool conveyor element, in particular a sealing tool mover, which is movable relative to the conveyor element and on which at least one, in particular the, sealing element, in particular the sealing element designed as a sealing tool, of the sealing unit is arranged. The sealing tool conveyor element has in particular at least two degrees of freedom, preferably more than two degrees of freedom, and particularly preferably six degrees of freedom. The sealing element can be arranged movably or rigidly on the sealing tool conveyor element.With a rigid arrangement of the sealing element on the sealing tool conveyor element, a movement of the sealing tool conveyor element to exert a sealing force on the closure arranged on the container can preferably be realized by a movement, in particular a vertical movement, of the sealing tool conveyor element relative to the conveyor element on which the container with the closure arranged thereon is arranged, and relative to the linear movement elements or the surface movement elements, or by a movement, in particular a vertical movement, of the conveyor element on which the container with the closure arranged thereon is arranged, relative to the sealing tool conveyor element and relative to the linear movement elements or the surface movement elements. A combination of the two aforementioned, in particular vertical, relative movements is also possible in order to exert a sealing force on the closure arranged on the container.Further arrangements, configurations and / or functions of the sealing tool conveyor element that appear sensible to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable. By means of the configuration according to the invention, a high degree of flexibility can advantageously be realized within a transport and / or sealing process. Advantageously, pre-sealing can be realized that is at least essentially independent of location, in particular because the sealing element can be moved freely by means of the sealing tool conveyor element. Advantageously, simple and flexible replacement can be enabled in the event of a defect in the sealing element, which can advantageously be realized without a machine stoppage, in particular because the sealing element can be removed from the surface movement elements together with the sealing tool conveyor element and can be replaced by another sealing element arranged on a further sealing tool conveyor element.

[0021] Furthermore, in particular in at least one exemplary embodiment of the sealing device, it is proposed that the conveying element and / or a sealing tool conveying element, in particular the one already mentioned above, of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit is / are movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a conveying plane of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit, in particular in order to bring the closure arranged on the container into contact with at least one sealing element, in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit. Preferably, the conveying plane extends at least substantially parallel to a surface of the linear movement elements or the surface movement elements facing the conveying element in a drive state of the conveying element.Preferably, by means of the mobility of the conveying element and / or the sealing tool conveying element transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane, a lifting movement of the conveying element and / or the sealing tool conveying element relative to the conveying plane can be realized. The expression "substantially perpendicular" is intended in particular to define an orientation of a direction relative to a reference direction, wherein the direction and the reference direction, in particular viewed in a projection plane, enclose an angle of 90° and the angle has a maximum deviation of in particular less than 8°, advantageously less than 5° and particularly advantageously less than 2°. Preferably, the conveying element and / or the sealing tool conveying element are / is movable at least substantially parallel to the conveying plane."Substantially parallel" is to be understood in particular as an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction, in particular less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°. By means of the configuration according to the invention, a high degree of flexibility can advantageously be realized within a transport and / or sealing process. A lifting movement for pre-sealing can advantageously be easily realized by making sensible use of the movement possibilities of the conveyor element and / or the sealing tool conveyor element.

[0022] Furthermore, a production machine, in particular for filling liquid or pasty products, in particular foodstuffs, with at least one sealing device according to the invention is proposed. The production machine can comprise further devices and / or units that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art and are intended for the production, filling, packaging and / or repackaging of foodstuffs. In addition to the sealing device, the production machine can have a plurality of further devices and / or units that a person skilled in the art considers appropriate, such as a forming device for packaging, a cutting device, a filling device, a sterilization device, an repackaging device, or the like. By means of the configuration according to the invention, a high degree of flexibility within a transport process of the production machine can advantageously be achieved.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for at least partially connecting closures, in particular lids, and containers, in particular cups, by means of a sealing device according to the invention. It is proposed that in at least one method step at least one container is positioned relative to the sealing unit by means of the conveying element. It is conceivable that the conveying element, in order to position the container relative to the sealing unit, is moved horizontally relative to the conveying plane, is moved vertically relative to the conveying plane, is rotated about a vertical axis running at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane, is tilted about a horizontal axis running at least substantially parallel to the conveying plane and / or is moved around and / or along another movement path or movement axis.By means of the configuration according to the invention, a high degree of flexibility can advantageously be realized within a transport and / or sealing process. Precise positioning of the containers can advantageously be enabled, particularly since the linear or planar drive unit has a high degree of movement precision, in particular with an accuracy in the range of a few tenths of a millimeter. Reliable pre-sealing of the closures on the containers can advantageously be enabled, in which the closures are partially bonded to a container edge. Precise alignment of the closure and the container relative to the sealing element can advantageously be realized.Advantageously, the processing of containers and closures within a wide tolerance range can be enabled, particularly since deviations from tolerances, preferably even outside permissible tolerance ranges, can be advantageously compensated for by moving the conveying element, in particular the mover. The effort and costs for redesigns in the event of changes to tolerance ranges or changes to the formats to be processed can be advantageously kept low or even avoided, particularly since the individual movement option of the conveying element, in particular the mover, allows for easy adaptation to new tolerance ranges or changed formats.

[0024] It is further proposed that, in at least one method step of the method according to the invention, a position of the container relative to the sealing unit and / or relative to the conveying element is detected by means of a sensor unit of the sealing device, in particular the one already mentioned above, wherein a movement of the conveying element is controlled or regulated as a function of the detected position of the container, in particular by means of the control or regulating unit, in order to position the container in a sealing position, in particular a pre-sealing position, relative to the sealing unit. By means of the configuration according to the invention, a precise positioning of the container relative to the sealing unit can advantageously be enabled by means of the conveying element. A precise alignment of the closure and the container relative to the sealing element can advantageously be realized.This advantageously enables a high degree of flexibility of the sealing device, since inaccurate positioning of a container on the conveyor element can be detected by the sensor unit, and this inaccuracy can be advantageously compensated for by moving the conveyor element relative to the sealing element. Incorrect positioning of the container, such as a tilt of the container relative to the conveyor element, a lateral projection of the container beyond the conveyor element, or the like, can be easily detected, and appropriate countermeasures can be initiated.

[0025] Furthermore, it is proposed that, in at least one method step of the method according to the invention, the conveying element and / or a sealing tool conveying element of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit is / are moved transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a conveying plane of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit, in particular in order to bring the closure arranged on the container into contact with at least one sealing element, in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit. By means of the inventive design, a high degree of flexibility can advantageously be realized within a transport and / or sealing process. A lifting movement for pre-sealing can advantageously be easily realized by making effective use of the movement possibilities of the conveying element and / or the sealing tool conveying element.

[0026] The sealing device according to the invention, the production machine according to the invention, and / or the method according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the sealing device according to the invention, the production machine according to the invention, and / or the method according to the invention can have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a function described herein. Furthermore, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values ​​within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily. Drawings

[0027] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0028] They show:

[0029] Fig. 1 A production machine according to the invention with at least one sealing device according to the invention in a schematic representation,

[0030] Fig. 2 is a side view of the sealing device according to the invention in a schematic representation, wherein a closure is handled by means of a closure transfer unit of the sealing device according to the invention for transfer to a container,

[0031] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the sealing device according to the invention shown in Figure 2, without a sensor unit of the sealing device according to the invention shown, in a schematic representation,

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a further side view of the sealing device according to the invention in a schematic representation, wherein the closure is pre-sealed by means of a sealing unit of the sealing device according to the invention,

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a schematic process sequence of a method according to the invention for at least partially connecting closures and containers,

[0034] Fig. 6 is a side view of an alternative sealing device according to the invention in a schematic representation and

[0035] Fig. 7 is a side view of another alternative sealing device according to the invention in a schematic representation. Description of the embodiments

[0036] Figure 1 shows a production machine 44a with at least one sealing device 10a, in particular a pre-sealing device, for at least partially connecting closures 12a, in particular lids, and containers 14a, in particular cups. The production machine 44a is preferably intended for the manufacture and / or processing of products, in particular foodstuffs. The production machine 44a can be designed, for example, as a food packaging machine, as a food filling machine, as a food production machine, as a combination of the aforementioned machines, or the like. The production machine 44a preferably comprises at least one container feed device 48a for feeding the containers 14a to the production machine 44a, in particular to an electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a of the production machine 44a.The production machine 44a preferably comprises at least one gassing device 50a, in particular a food gassing device, for gassing the at least partially closed containers 14a. In particular, the production machine 44a comprises at least one, in particular further, sealing device 52a, in particular an end-sealing device, for a, in particular complete, connection of the closures 12a and the containers 14a. The production machine 44a preferably comprises at least one testing device 54a, in particular a leak testing device, for a test, in particular a leak test, of the, in particular closed, containers 14a.The production machine 44a may comprise further devices and / or units that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art and that are used for the production and / or processing of products, in particular foodstuffs, such as, for example, a sterilization device, a filling device, a closure device, a repackaging device, or the like.

[0037] The container feed device 48a is designed in particular as a cup feed device and is provided for feeding the containers 14a designed as cups. The container feed device 48a preferably comprises at least one container storage unit, in particular a cup magazine (not shown in detail here) for receiving a plurality of containers 14a, in particular a plurality of container stacks. Furthermore, the container feed device 48a comprises at least one removal and / or separation unit (not shown in detail here) for removing and / or separating individual containers 14a from the plurality of containers 14a arranged in the container storage unit.Furthermore, the container feed device 48a comprises, in particular, at least a part of, preferably the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, which has at least one tool conveying element, in particular a tool mover (not shown in detail here), on which at least one removal and / or separation element (not shown in detail here) of the removal and / or separation unit is arranged, and which is provided at least for bringing the removal and / or separation element into contact with at least one individual container 14a of the plurality of containers 14a arranged in the container storage unit. The tool conveying element is preferably designed as a mover, which has a design and mode of operation already known to a person skilled in the art, as is the case, for example, with the product XPianar (planar transport system) from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co.KG and / or the product XBot® (planar transport system) from Planar Motor Inc.

[0038] The tool conveying element is preferably movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a conveying plane 42a (see Figure 2) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, in particular in order to remove a single container 14a from the container storage unit by means of the removal and / or singling element. Preferably, the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a comprises at least one further tool conveying element, in particular a further tool mover (not shown here), on, in particular on which at least one further removal and / or singling element (not shown here) of the removal and / or singling unit is arranged, wherein the tool conveying element and the further tool conveying element are movable independently of one another.The tool conveyor element and the additional tool conveyor element preferably cooperate to remove and / or separate individual containers 14a from the plurality of containers 14a arranged in the container storage unit. In particular, the tool conveyor element and the additional tool conveyor element are movable together along a direction 56a extending transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a.The removal and / or separation unit preferably comprises at least one container guide element, in particular a guide rail or guide extension (not shown in detail here), which is arranged on the tool conveyor element and is provided for guiding a container 14a removed or detached from the container storage unit by means of the removal and / or separation element during a movement of the container 14a to a conveyor element 24a of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, which conveyor element is movable relative to the tool conveyor element. The container 14a can preferably be transferred to the conveyor element 24a by means of the removal and / or separation unit and / or by means of the tool conveyor element and the further tool conveyor element, in particular for further transport to various workstations of the production machine 44a by means of the conveyor element 24a.The conveying element 24a is preferably designed as a mover having a design and mode of operation already known to a person skilled in the art, as is known, for example, from the product XPianar (planar transport system) from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG and / or the product XBot® (planar transport system) from Planar Motor Inc.

[0039] The conveying element 24a preferably has a variably adjustable container receptacle 34a (shown in dashed lines in Figure 2) for receiving at least one container 14a, the receiving dimension 36a of which, in particular the receiving height and / or receiving width, is adjustable depending on at least one dimension of the container 14a removed and / or separated by means of the removal and / or separation element. The container receptacle 34a comprises, for example, at least one lateral support element 60a, 62a, which is provided to prevent the container 14a from slipping when the container 14a is arranged on the conveying element 24a, or at least to counteract slipping. The lateral support element 60a, 62a is preferably arranged on the conveying element 24a in a positionally adjustable manner. The lateral support element 60a, 62a can be arranged on the conveying element 24a so that its position can be adjusted continuously or in steps.It is also conceivable that the container receptacle 34a comprises a plurality of lateral support elements 60a, 62a, which are arranged on the conveying element 24a in a positionally adjustable manner. For example, two lateral support elements 60a, 62a of the container receptacle 34a are automatically or manually mounted so as to be movable relative to one another in order to adapt to a container transverse extent, in particular a cup diameter, in order to enable advantageous lateral support of the container 14a during transport and / or advantageously secure vertical support during pre-sealing. It is also conceivable that the lateral support element(s) 60a, 62a are arranged in a fixed position on the conveying element 24a, in particular are arranged interchangeably on the conveying element 24a, or are formed integrally with the conveying element 24a. Alternatively or in addition to the container receptacle 34a, it is conceivable that the conveying element 24a has a contact surface 64a (cf.for example Figure 2), against which a standing side of the container 14a rests when the container 14a is arranged on the conveying element 24a, wherein the contact surface 64a has an adhesive coating or another adhesion-influencing geometry that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as a grooved, roughened surface or the like, in order to influence friction between the container 14a and the conveying element 24a.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a side view of the sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, in a schematic representation. The sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, comprises at least one sealing unit 16a, in particular a pre-sealing unit, which comprises at least one, in particular movably mounted, sealing element 18a, 20a, which is intended to act by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force on the closure 12a, which is arranged in particular on the container 14a, to at least partially connect the closure 12a to the container 14a, which is arranged in particular on the conveying element 24a. Pre-sealing preferably takes place after a product, in particular a pasty or liquid food, has been filled into the container 14a, in particular by means of a filling device (not shown in detail here) of the production machine 44a.

[0041] The sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, comprises, in particular at least a part of, preferably the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, which has at least the conveying element 24a, in particular the mover, on, in particular on which the container 14a can be arranged. Preferably, the container 14a is arranged on the conveying element 24a after a transfer by means of the removal and / or singling unit and / or by means of the tool conveying element and the further tool conveying element. The conveying element 24a is preferably provided at least for positioning the container 14a relative to the sealing unit 16a. Preferably, the conveying element 24a has at least two degrees of freedom, preferably more than two degrees of freedom, and particularly preferably six degrees of freedom.It is conceivable that the conveying element 24a, for positioning the container 14a relative to the sealing unit 16a, in particular to the pre-sealing unit, is movable horizontally relative to the conveying plane 42a, is movable vertically relative to the conveying plane 42a, is rotatable about a vertical axis running at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane 42a, is tiltable about a horizontal axis running at least substantially parallel to the conveying plane 42a, and / or is movable about and / or along another movement path or movement axis. The conveying element 24a is preferably movable by changing a magnetic field of the linear or planar drive unit 22a acting on the conveying element 24a.The conveying element 24a preferably has at least one movement axis around which and / or along which the conveying element 24a is movable and which extends at least substantially parallel to the conveying plane 42a, and at least one further movement axis around which and / or along which the conveying element 24a is movable and which extends transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3).

[0042] The sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, preferably comprises at least one sensor unit 26a, arranged in particular in the vicinity of the sealing unit 16a, for detecting a position of the container 14a arranged on, in particular on, the conveying element 24a relative to the sealing unit 16a and / or relative to the conveying element 24a. The sensor unit 26a is preferably designed as an optical sensor unit, such as a camera, a light barrier unit or the like. However, it is also conceivable for the sensor unit 26a to have another design that would appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art, such as a design as a capacitive or inductive area sensor unit, as a distance sensor unit or the like.

[0043] Preferably, the sensor unit 26a is connected, in particular via data or signaling, to a control or regulating unit 66a of the sealing device 10a, in particular the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a or the production machine 44a (see Figure 1). Preferably, the data or signals acquired by the sensor unit 26a can be evaluated by the control or regulating unit 66a, in particular for controlling or regulating a movement of the conveying element 24a relative to the sealing unit 16a, preferably depending on the position of the container 14a on the conveying element 24a. Preferably, the sensor unit 26a is provided to detect an arrangement of the container 14a relative to at least one outer edge of the conveying element 24a or to at least one outer edge of the container receptacle 34a of the conveying element 24a, in particular in order to be able to determine a position of the container 14a on the conveying element 24a by means of the control or regulating unit 66a.It is also conceivable that, based on the data acquired by the sensor unit 26a, an orientation of the container 14a, such as an inclination of the container 14a relative to the conveying element 24a, a rotational position of the container 14a relative to the conveying element 24a, or the like, can be evaluated in a state arranged on the conveying element 24a, in particular in order to be able to determine, for example, an incorrect position of the container 14a, an orientation of a handle or grip of the container 14a, or the like. The sensor unit 26a can furthermore also be provided to detect the position of the closure 12a relative to the container 14a and / or to the conveying element 24a, in particular during a transfer of the closure 12a to the container 14a, in particular in order to be able to advantageously determine a deviation between a desired and actual position of the closure 12a.

[0044] The sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, comprises at least one closure transfer unit 28a, which is provided to transfer the closure 12a from a closure storage device 30a, in particular a lid magazine, to the container 14a, in particular to place it on the container 14a, which is preferably arranged on the conveying element 24a, wherein the container 14a can be positioned by means of the conveying element 24a relative to a transfer element 32a, in particular a vacuum gripper, of the closure transfer unit 28a (cf., for example, Figures 2 to 4).The closure transfer unit 28a, in particular the transfer element 32a, can be movably mounted on a frame of the sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, or of the production machine 44a, or movably mounted on the closure storage 30a, or can be designed to be movable relative to the frame and / or the closure storage 30a by means of a separate conveyor element (not shown in detail here) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a. It is also conceivable for the sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, to be designed independently of the closure transfer unit 28a, and for the container 14a to be positionable relative to the closure storage 30a by means of the conveyor element 24a, wherein the closure 12a can be transferred to the container 14a, in particular by means of a separating element of the closure storage 30a, in particular can be placed on the container 14a.It is conceivable that the sensor unit 26a and / or the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit, are / is arranged on the closure storage 30a, in particular in order to be able to pre-seal the closure 12a directly after transfer to the container 14a and / or in order to be able to save the closure transfer unit 28a.For example, the container 14a is vertically movable by means of the conveying element 24a, in particular in the direction 56a of the closure storage 30a, in order to transfer the closure 12a from the closure storage 30a to the container 14a, wherein in particular after a transfer of the closure 12a to the container 14a, the container 14a is vertically movable by means of the conveying element 24a, in particular in a direction 56a facing away from the closure storage 30a, until the conveying element 24a is in contact with a linear movement element or surface movement element 68a of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, wherein the sealing element 18a, 20a of the sealing unit 16a, in particular pre-sealing unit, arranged for example on the closure storage 30a, is movable in the direction 56a of the container 14a in order to pre-seale the closure 12a on the container 14a. realize.It is conceivable that the conveying element 24a of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a is movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, in particular to bring the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a into contact with at least one of the sealing elements 18a, 20a, in particular the sealing tool, of the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit. Further configurations and / or functions of the closure transfer unit 28a, the closure storage unit 30a, and / or the conveying element 24a that would appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit, comprises at least two movably mounted sealing elements 18a, 20a, which are mounted vertically movable relative to the frame and / or relative to the conveyor element 24a, in particular translationally. It is also conceivable for the sealing elements 18a, 20a to be pivotably mounted. Preferably, the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit, comprises at least one drive element (not shown in detail here) for a, in particular synchronous, movement of the sealing elements 18a, 20a along a sealing direction, in particular toward the container 14a, preferably along a vertical direction.The drive element is provided, in particular, to bring the sealing elements 18a, 20a into physical contact with the closure 12a for pre-sealing the closure 12a and the container 14a, and, in particular, to move them away from the closure 12a after pre-sealing. The drive element is preferably designed as a linear drive, a stepper motor, a servo drive, or as a further conveying element, in particular as a further mover, of the linear or planar drive unit 22a. The sealing elements 18a, 20a each preferably have a sealing surface that is smaller than the total area of ​​a container rim top side of a container rim of the container 14a, in particular to enable a partial connection of the closure 12a to the container 14a along the container rim top side during pre-sealing of the closure 12a to the container 14a (see, for example, Figure 3).The container edge top side is preferably a side of the container 14a which faces away from a standing side of the container 14a, by means of which the container 14a can be arranged, in particular stands, on, the conveying element 24a, in particular the mover.

[0046] After pre-sealing the closure 12a to the container 14a, the container 14a, together with the closure 12a arranged thereon, can be transported to the gassing device 50a by means of the conveying element 24a. The gassing device 50a comprises at least one gassing unit (not shown in detail here), which has at least one gassing element, in particular a gassing lance (not shown in detail here) for introducing a gas into the container 14a, in particular into the container 14a provided with the pre-sealed closure 12a. The gassing device 50a comprises, in particular, at least a part of the, preferably, electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, wherein the conveying element 24a is provided to realize a lifting movement of the container 14a relative to the gassing element along the direction 56a extending transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a.The gassing element is preferably mounted so as to be movable relative to the conveying element 24a, in particular along the direction 56a running at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane 42a, in particular in addition to the conveying element 24a being movable along the direction 56a running at least substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane 42a. The production machine 44a comprises at least one main transport direction 70a (cf.Figure 1) and at least one sealing unit, in particular an end sealing unit (not shown in detail here), preferably the further sealing device 52a, for sealing the closure 12a to the container 14a arranged on the conveyor element 24a, wherein the gassing device 50a is arranged along the main transport direction 70a in front of the sealing unit, in particular the end sealing unit, wherein the conveyor element 24a is provided to move the container 14a through the gassing unit and to the sealing unit, in particular the end sealing unit.

[0047] The sealing device 52a, in particular end sealing device, for a, in particular complete, connection of the closures 12a to the containers 14a preferably comprises at least the sealing unit, in particular end sealing unit, which comprises at least one, in particular movably mounted, sealing element, in particular end sealing element (not shown in detail here), which is provided for acting by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force on a closure 12a to connect, in particular weld, the closure 12a to the container 14a.The sealing device 52a, in particular the end sealing device, comprises, in particular at least a part of, preferably the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, wherein the conveying element 24a is movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a, in particular in order to move the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a in the direction 56a of the sealing unit, in particular the end sealing unit.It is conceivable that sealing, in particular final sealing, by means of the sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit, takes place / proceeds analogously to sealing, in particular pre-sealing, by means of the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit, in particular with regard to a movement of the conveyor element 24a and of sealing elements (not shown in more detail here) of the sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit, wherein the sealing elements of the sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit, together have a sealing surface which corresponds to the total surface of the container rim top side of the container rim of the container 14a, in particular in order to enable a complete, preferably fluid-tight, preferably gas-tight, connection of the closure 12a to the container 14a along the container rim top side during final sealing of the closure 12a to the container 14a.However, it is also conceivable that the sealing, in particular final sealing, by means of the sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit, takes place / proceeds differently than the sealing, in particular pre-sealing, by means of the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit.

[0048] The sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit, preferably has at least one, in particular movable, holding element (not shown in detail here), to which the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a can be transferred by means of a movement of the conveying element 24a transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a or can be brought into a receiving position in which the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a can be received by the holding element. The holding element comprises at least one sealing support surface on which the container 14a, in particular an underside of a container rim of the container 14a, can be supported at least during a connecting process, in particular final sealing, of the closure 12a and the container 14a, in particular after being transferred to the holding element or after being received by the holding element.It is conceivable that the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a has at least one holding tool conveyor element (not shown in detail here) that is movable relative to the conveyor element 24a and on which at least the holding element of the sealing unit, in particular the end sealing unit, is arranged. The holding tool conveyor element is preferably designed as a mover, which has a design and mode of operation already known to a person skilled in the art, as is known, for example, from the product XPianar (planar transport system) from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG and / or the product XBot® (planar transport system) from Planar Motor Inc.It is also conceivable that the sealing device 52a, in particular the end-sealing device, comprises at least one, preferably further, sensor unit (not shown here), arranged in particular in the vicinity of the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit, for detecting a position of the container 14a arranged on, in particular on, the conveying element 24a relative to the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit, and / or relative to the conveying element 24a, wherein the conveying element 24a is movable depending on a detected position of the container 14a, in particular in order to position the container 14a relative to the sealing element of the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit, and / or to the holding element of the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit.

[0049] The testing device 54a preferably comprises at least one testing unit (not shown in detail here), which comprises at least one testing element (not shown in detail here) that is intended to act on and / or bring into contact with the, in particular closed, container 14a, preferably the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a. The testing device 54a comprises, in particular at least a part of, preferably the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, wherein the conveying element 24a is movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a, in particular in order to move the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a in the direction 56a of the testing element, preferably in order to bring the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a, preferably the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a, into contact with the testing element.The test element is preferably designed as a positionally fixed heating stamp or as a positionally fixed pressure plate, with which the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a can be brought into contact by a movement of the conveying element 24a along the direction 56a running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a. The test device 54a preferably comprises at least one evaluation unit (not shown in detail here), which is provided to evaluate a movement of the conveying element 24a, in particular of the conveying element 24a together with the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a, caused in particular by an action of the test element on the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a, in order to conclude whether the container 14a, in particular the closed container, is leak-tight.Preferably, the movement of the conveying element 24a, in particular of the conveying element 24a together with the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a, can be brought about, in the case of a sealed container 14a, by a bulging of the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a as a result of an expansion of the fluid caused by heating of a fluid in the container 14a, in particular air or the like, or as a result of compression of the container 14a by the test element, as is already known to a person skilled in the art. The evaluation unit can be designed as a separate unit or at least partially, preferably completely, integrated into the control or regulating unit 66a.

[0050] The electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a can have at least one test tool conveyor element (not shown in detail here) that is movable relative to the conveyor element 24a and on which at least the test element of the test unit is arranged. The test tool conveyor element is preferably designed as a mover, which has a design and mode of operation already known to a person skilled in the art, as is known, for example, from the product XPianar (planar transport system) from Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG and / or the product XBot® (planar transport system) from Planar Motor Inc.It is also conceivable for the inspection device 54a to have at least one, preferably additional, sensor unit (not shown in detail here), arranged in particular in the vicinity of the inspection unit, for detecting a position of the container 14a arranged on, in particular on, the conveyor element 24a relative to the inspection unit and / or relative to the conveyor element 24a, wherein the conveyor element 24a is movable depending on the detected position of the container 14a, in particular in order to position the container 14a relative to the inspection element. After a test has been carried out by means of the inspection device 54a, the container 14a can be transported by means of the conveyor element 24a, in particular depending on a result of the test, to a packaging device of the production machine 44a or to a reject device of the production machine 44a.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a schematic process flow of a process 46a for producing and / or processing products, in particular foodstuffs, by means of the production machine 44a, wherein the closures 12a and / or the containers 14a are processed according to individual process steps.

[0052] Preferably, the method 46a is provided at least for feeding containers 14a to the production machine 44a, in particular to the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a, in particular by means of the container feeding device 48a. Preferably, in at least one method step 72a of the method 46a, the removal and / or separation element is moved relative to the container storage unit by means of the tool conveyor element, wherein the removal and / or separation element is brought into contact with the container 14a for removal and / or separation of at least one container 14a.Preferably, in the at least one method step 72a, the removal and / or singling element is moved relative to one another and relative to the container storage unit by means of the tool conveyor element, and a further removal and / or singling element of the removal and / or singling unit is moved relative to one another and relative to the container storage unit by means of a further tool conveyor element, wherein the removal and / or singling element and the further removal and / or singling element are brought into contact with the container 14a for removal and / or singling of at least one container 14a. Preferably, in the at least one method step 72a, the tool conveyor element and / or the further tool conveyor element of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22a is moved along the direction 56a extending transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a.In particular, in at least one method step 74a of method 46a, one, in particular a single, closure 12a is transferred to the container 14a, in particular by means of the closure transfer unit 28a. Furthermore, method 46a is preferably provided for at least some connection of the closures 12a to the containers 14a, in particular by means of the sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device. Preferably, in at least one method step 76a of method 46a, at least one, in particular a single, container 14a is positioned relative to the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit, by means of the conveying element 24a.Preferably, in at least one method step 78a of method 46a, a position of the container 14a relative to the sealing unit 16a, in particular to the pre-sealing unit, and / or relative to the conveying element 24a is detected by means of the sensor unit 26a of the sealing device 10a, in particular the pre-sealing device, wherein a movement of the conveying element 24a is controlled or regulated depending on the detected position of the container 14a in order to position the container 14a in a sealing position, in particular a pre-sealing position, relative to the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit. Preferably, the detected data of the sensor unit 26a of the sealing device 10a are evaluated and / or processed by means of the control or regulating unit 66a.Preferably, in at least one method step 80a of method 46a, the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a is connected, at least in places, to the container 14a by means of the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit. It is conceivable that in the at least one method step 80a, the conveying element 24a and / or the sealing elements 18a, 20a are / are moved transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a, in particular in order to bring the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a into contact with the sealing elements 18a, 20a, in particular sealing tools, of the sealing unit 16a, in particular the pre-sealing unit. Preferably, the container 14a, with the closure 12a connected thereto in places, is then transported to the gassing device 50a by means of the conveying element 24a.

[0053] Furthermore, the method 46a is provided at least for gassing the container 14a, in particular by means of the gassing device 50a. Preferably, in at least one method step 82a of the method 46a, the container 14a is moved relative to the gassing element as a function of a movement of the conveying element 24a along the direction 56a running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that in the at least one method step 82a, the gassing element is moved along the direction 56a running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a.Preferably, in the at least one method step 82a, a change in a magnetic field of the linear or planar drive unit 22a acting on the conveying element 24a takes place, in particular by means of the control or regulating unit 66a, wherein the conveying element 24a is moved transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a. Preferably, in the at least one method step 82a, an edge region, in particular a lid flap, of the closure 12a arranged on the container 14a, in particular fixedly connected to the container 14a at least in places, is brought into contact with the gassing element, in particular by a movement of the conveying element 24a along the conveying plane 42a, wherein a relative movement then takes place between the conveying element 24a and the gassing element along the direction 56a running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a.Preferably, the container 14a with the closure 12a connected thereto in places is then transported by means of the conveying element 24a to the sealing device 52a, in particular the end sealing device.

[0054] In addition, the method 46a is provided for at least one, preferably complete, connection of the closures 12a and the containers 14a. Preferably, in at least one method step 84a of the method 46a, the conveying element 24a, together with the container 14a arranged thereon, is moved transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a, in particular in order to move the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a in the direction 56a of the sealing unit, in particular the final sealing unit.Preferably, in the at least one method step 84a, the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a is transferred to the holding element as a result of the movement of the conveying element 24a along the direction 56a extending transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a, or is moved into a receiving position in which the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a is received by the holding element as a result of a movement of the holding element.Preferably, in at least one method step 86a of method 46a, the container 14a, in particular an underside of the container rim of the container 14a, is supported by the at least one, in particular movable, holding element of the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit, at least during a connecting process of the closure 12a and the container 14a carried out by the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit, in particular after the container 14a has been transferred to the holding element or after the container 14a has been received by the holding element. Preferably, following the connecting process of the closure 12a and the container 14a carried out by the sealing unit, in particular the end-sealing unit, the container 14a is transferred to the conveying element 24a. Preferably, the container 14a with the fully connected closure 12a is then transported by the conveying element 24a to the testing device 54a.

[0055] Furthermore, the method 46a is preferably provided at least for a test, in particular a leak test, of the, in particular closed, container 14a, in particular by means of the testing device 54a. Preferably, in at least one method step 88a of the method 46a, a position of the container 14a relative to the testing unit is detected by means of a, in particular additional, sensor unit of the testing device 54a, wherein a movement of the conveyor element 24a is controlled or regulated as a function of the detected position of the container 14a, preferably by the control or regulating unit 66a, in order to position the container 14a in a test position relative to the testing unit.Preferably, in at least one method step 90a of method 46a, the conveying element 24a, together with the container 14a arranged thereon, is moved transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveying plane 42a, in particular actively moved in the direction 56a of the test element or passively moved in a direction 56a directed away from the test element. Preferably, in the at least one method step 90a, a movement of the conveying element 24a, in particular of the conveying element 24a together with the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a, caused in particular by an action of the test element on the container 14a arranged on the conveying element 24a, is detected and / or evaluated in order to conclude that the container 14a, in particular the container 14a, is leak-tight. Further method steps that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.

[0056] Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 6 and 7. The following descriptions and the drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, whereby with regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular Figures 1 to 5. To distinguish the exemplary embodiments, the letter a is placed after the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in Figures 1 to 5. In the exemplary embodiments in Figures 6 and 7, the letter a is replaced by the letters b and c.

[0057] Figure 6 shows a side view of an alternative sealing device 10b. In particular, the alternative sealing device 10b differs from the sealing device 10a described in the description of Figures 1 to 5 at least by the design of a sealing unit 16b, in particular a pre-sealing unit. The sealing device 10b is preferably designed as a pre-sealing device. The sealing device 10b is preferably intended for an at least partial connection of closures 12b, in particular lids, and containers 14b, in particular cups. The sealing device 10b comprises at least the sealing unit 16b, in particular a pre-sealing unit, which comprises at least one, in particular movably mounted, sealing element 18b, 20b, which is intended to act on the closure 12b by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force to at least partially connect the closure 12b to the container 14b.The sealing device 10b comprises, in particular at least a part of a, preferably an electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22b, which has at least one conveying element 24b, in particular a mover, on, in particular on which the container 14b can be arranged and which is provided for positioning the container 14b relative to the sealing unit 16b, in particular the end-sealing unit. The sealing unit 16b, in particular the end-sealing unit, preferably comprises two movably mounted sealing elements 18b, 20b. The sealing unit 16b, in particular the end-sealing unit, preferably comprises at least one drive element 92b, 94b for moving the sealing elements 18b, 20b along a sealing direction, in particular toward the container 14b, preferably along a vertical direction.The drive element(s) 92b, 94b is / are provided in particular to bring the sealing elements 18b, 20b into physical contact with the closure 12b for pre-sealing the closure 12b and the container 14b, and in particular to move them away from the closure 12b after pre-sealing. The drive element(s) 92b, 94b are preferably designed as a linear drive, a stepper motor, a servo drive, or another drive element deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art. The drive elements 92b, 94b are preferably provided for a synchronous movement of the sealing elements 18b, 20b. Further configurations and / or functions of the alternative sealing device 10b deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.

[0058] Figure 7 shows a side view of another alternative sealing device 10c. In particular, the other alternative sealing device 10c differs from the sealing device 10a described in the description of Figures 1 to 5 at least by a design of a sealing unit 16c, in particular a pre-sealing unit, and / or by a design of an electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c. The sealing device 10c is preferably designed as a pre-sealing device. The sealing device 10c is preferably intended for at least partially connecting closures 12c, in particular lids, and containers 14c, in particular cups.The sealing device 10c comprises at least the sealing unit 16c, in particular a pre-sealing unit, which comprises at least one, in particular movably mounted, sealing element 18c, 20c, which is provided for acting by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force on the closure 12c to at least partially connect the closure 12c to the container 14c. The sealing device 10c comprises, in particular, at least a part of a, preferably an electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c, which has at least one conveying element 24c, in particular a mover, on, in particular on which the container 14c can be arranged and which is provided for positioning the container 14c relative to the sealing unit 16, in particular the final sealing unit.The electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c preferably comprises at least one sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c, in particular a sealing tool mover, which is movable relative to the conveyor element 24c and on which at least one sealing element 18c, 20c, in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit 16c, in particular a pre-sealing unit, is arranged. The conveyor element 24c and / or a sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c are movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a conveyor plane 42c of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c, in particular in order to bring the closure 12c arranged on the container 14c into contact with at least one sealing element 18c, 20c, in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit 16c, in particular a pre-sealing unit.

[0059] The sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c has, in particular, at least two degrees of freedom, preferably more than two degrees of freedom, and particularly preferably six degrees of freedom. The sealing element 18c, 20c can be arranged movably or rigidly on the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c.In the case of a rigid arrangement of the sealing element 18c, 20c on the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c, a movement of the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c for exerting a sealing force on the closure 12c arranged on the container 14c can preferably be realized by a movement, in particular a vertical movement, of the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c relative to the conveyor element 24c, on which the container 14c with the closure 12c arranged thereon is arranged, and relative to surface movement elements 68c of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c, or by a movement, in particular a vertical movement, of the conveyor element 24c, on which the container 14c with the closure 12c arranged thereon is arranged, relative to the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c and relative to the surface movement elements 68c.

[0060] In a movable arrangement of the sealing element 18c, 20c on the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c, at least one drive element (not shown here) per sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c is preferably arranged on the sealing tool conveyor element 38c, 40c for moving the sealing elements 18c, 20c along a direction 56c running transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to the conveyor plane 42c.It is also conceivable that at least one drive element (not shown in detail here) formed separately from the sealing tool conveyor elements 38c, 40c, which is arranged on a further conveyor element (not shown in detail here) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit 22c, can be used to move the sealing elements 18c, 20c movably mounted on the sealing tool conveyor elements 38c, 40c. The further conveyor element, with the drive element arranged thereon, can be moved toward the sealing tool conveyor elements 38c, 40c, for example, when needed, and the drive element can then be coupled to the sealing elements 18c, 20c. Further configurations and / or functions of the further alternative sealing device 10c that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art are also conceivable.

Claims

Claims 1. Sealing device, in particular pre-sealing device, for at least partially connecting closures (12a; 12b; 12c), in particular lids, and containers (14a; 14b; 14c), in particular cups, with at least one sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c), in particular pre-sealing unit, which comprises at least one, in particular movably mounted, sealing element (18a, 20a; 18b, 20b; 18c, 20c), which is provided for acting by means of vibrations, by means of heat and / or by means of force on a closure (12a; 12b; 12c) for at least partially connecting the closure (12a; 12b; 12c) to a container (14a; 14b; 14c), and with at least one electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22a; 22b; 22c), which has at least one conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c), in particular a mover, on which, in particular on, the container (14a; 14b; 14c) can be arranged and which is used to position the container (14a; 14b; 14c) relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b;16c) is provided, characterized by at least one sensor unit (26a; 26b; 26c), arranged in particular in the vicinity of the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c), for detecting a position of the container (14a; 14b; 14c) arranged on, in particular on, the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c) and / or relative to the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c).

2. Sealing device according to claim 1, characterized by at least one closure transfer unit (28a; 28b; 28c) which is provided for transferring the closure (12a; 12b; 12c) from a closure storage device (30a), in particular a lid magazine, to the container (14a; 14b; 14c), in particular for placing it on the container (14a; 14b; 14c), wherein the container (14a; 14b; 14c) can be positioned by means of the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) relative to a transfer element (32a, 32b; 32c), in particular a vacuum gripper, of the closure transfer unit (28a; 28b; 28c).

3. Sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) has a variably adjustable container holder (34a; 34b; 34c), the holding dimension (36a; 36b; 36c) of which, in particular the holding height and / or holding width, is adjustable depending on at least one dimension of the container (14a; 14b; 14c) which can be arranged on the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c).

4. Sealing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22b; 22c) has at least one sealing tool conveyor element (38b, 40b; 38c, 40c), in particular a sealing tool mover, which is movable relative to the conveyor element (24b; 24c) and on which at least one sealing element (18b, 20b; 18c, 20c), in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit (16b; 16c) is arranged.

5. Sealing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) and / or a sealing tool conveying element (38b, 40b; 38c, 40c) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22a; 22b; 22c) is / are movable transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a conveying plane (42a; 42b; 42c) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22a; 22b; 22c), in particular in order to seal the closure (12a; 12b; 12c) arranged on the container (14a; 14b; 14c) with at least one sealing element (18a, 20a; 18b, 20b; 18c, 20c), in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c) into contact.

6. Production machine with at least one sealing device according to one of the preceding claims.

7. A method for at least partially connecting closures (12a; 12b; 12c), in particular lids, and containers (14a; 14b; 14c), in particular cups, by means of a sealing device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in at least one method step (76a) at least one container (14a; 14b; 14c) is positioned relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c) by means of the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c), characterized in that in at least one method step (78a) a position of the container (14a; 14b; 14c) relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c) and / or relative to the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) is detected by means of the sensor unit (26a; 26b; 26c) of the sealing device wherein a movement of the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) is controlled or regulated as a function of the detected position of the container (14a; 14b; 14c) in order to hold the container (14a; 14b; 14c) in a sealing position, in particular pre-sealing position, relative to the sealing unit (16a; 16b;16c) to be positioned.; 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that in at least one method step (80a) the conveying element (24a; 24b; 24c) and / or a sealing tool conveying element (38c, 40c) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22a; 22b; 22c) is / are moved transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicularly, to a conveying plane (42a; 42b; 42c) of the electrodynamic linear or planar drive unit (22a; 22b; 22c), in particular in order to seal the closure (12a; 12b; 12c) arranged on the container (14a; 14b; 14c) with at least one sealing element (18a, 20a; 18b, 20b; 18c, 20c), in particular a sealing tool, of the sealing unit (16a; 16b; 16c) into contact.

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