Machine for sealing containers by concentric compression of the stopper

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine for sealing containers, comprising: - a device (8) for radially compressing the stoppers, comprising movable jaws (11) defining a receiving opening (12) for receiving a stopper and a system (13) for moving the movable jaws in back-and-forth movements in order to modify the arrangement thereof during the movements, between an open configuration in which the receiving opening (12) can receive a stopper and a closed configuration in which the receiving opening (12) compresses the stopper, all the movable jaws (11) being mounted so as to be able to move in convergent directions and wherein the system (13) for moving the movable jaws ensures the concentric movement of all the movable jaws (11) in order to ensure concentric compression of the stopper; and - a device (9) for inserting a stopper into the neck of a container, the movement of which is independent of the movement of the system (13) for moving the movable jaws.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Machine for sealing containers by concentric compression of the stopper Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a corking machine, in particular a machine capable of introducing stoppers, in particular made of natural or technical cork or plastic or similar material, into the neck of containers and in particular bottles.

[0002] The subject of the invention finds particularly advantageous applications for sealing bottles filled with still wines and / or sparkling wines. Prior art

[0003] The state of the art has proposed numerous machines for capping containers, by inserting caps inside the necks of the containers. For example, patent EP 1314683 describes a machine comprising a chassis arranged in the form of a carousel delimiting several capping stations. Each capping station comprises a placement surface for a container and a vice-type radial compression device for the caps comprising movable jaws defining a receiving opening for a cap. The jaws are moved by a cam displacement system, in back-and-forth movements to modify their arrangement during the movements, between an open configuration for which the receiving opening can receive a cap and a closed configuration for which the receiving opening compresses the cap.

[0004] This machine also comprises devices for inserting a stopper inside the neck of the containers comprising a push rod, driven by a reciprocating movement in such a way that the push rod reaches an insertion position for which the stopper is completely inserted inside the neck of the container.

[0005] The prior art has proposed various solutions for producing vice-type radial compression devices for caps. For example, patent EP 1 426 322 describes a radial compression device comprising a fixed slide provided with a pair of compression blocks and a movable slide provided with a pair of compression blocks and actuated by a relative reciprocating movement with respect to the fixed slide. It turns out that the compression of the cap is achieved by the clamping action of four perpendicular jaws which slide against each other. Two of the four jaws are on a slide forming a movable jaw and the other two opposite jaws are on another fixed slide. The movable jaw moves towards the fixed jaw via a cam allowing the final compression of the cap to be obtained. The cap is compressed by moving from the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw.This movement transcribes a translation generating an eccentric compression relative to the central axis of the neck of the bottle.

[0006] In practice, the capping performed by such a machine is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, it has been observed on a certain number of containers that the cap has turned up internally, causing poor quality capping, reducing the lifespan of the cap and increasing the risk of leakage via the turning up. The presence of particles or dust from the cap has also been highlighted, which could clog the jaws or even end up in the neck of the container. Furthermore, heterogeneity in the quality of the capping has been observed, particularly during variations in the capping speed. It also appears that such a compression device is not suitable for receiving caps of different diameters. Indeed, the capping machines are configured to operate for a single diameter of cap.A larger diameter cap is compressed more than a smaller diameter cap, leading to deterioration of the cork cells, affecting the mechanical properties of the cap, in particular its elasticity in diameter recovery in the neck of the container after compression. This significantly affects the cap's tightness and its lifespan. In addition, the eccentric compression of a larger cap does not. does not allow perfect centering of the retraction of the cap in the neck of the container since it is pushed in eccentrically due to its eccentric compression. This has the effect of forming an internal curl of the cap causing poor quality capping. Statement of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a new machine for improving the capping of containers while preserving the cap while offering flexibility in the face of different container and cap formats.

[0008] To achieve such an objective, the machine according to the invention comprises a chassis delimiting at least one capping station, each having: - a placement plan for a container; - a radial compression device for stoppers comprising movable jaws defining a receiving opening for a stopper and a system for moving the movable jaws in back-and-forth movements to modify their arrangement during the movements, between an open configuration for which the receiving opening can receive a stopper and a closed configuration for which the receiving opening compresses the stopper: - a device for inserting a stopper into the neck of a container comprising a push rod, driven by a reciprocating movement in such a way that the push rod reaches an insertion position for which the stopper is completely inserted into the neck of the container. According to the invention: - all the movable jaws of the compression device are mounted to be movable in directions converging at one point; - the moving jaws movement system ensures the concentric movement of all the moving jaws to ensure concentric compression of the plug; - the insertion device includes a rod actuation system thrust whose movement is independent of the movement of the moving jaws movement system.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment characteristic, the jaw movement system comprises at least a first actuator controlled by a control unit to concentrically move all the movable jaws to ensure concentric compression of the cap while the push rod actuation system comprises a second actuator controlled by the control unit to insert the compressed cap inside the neck of the container.

[0010] Advantageously, the second actuator is controlled to disengage the push rod from the receiving opening after the cap has been inserted into the neck, while the first actuator is controlled by the control unit to move the movable jaws so as to be arranged in their open configuration in order to be able to receive a new cap.

[0011] Preferably, the first actuator has an adjustable actuation speed for adjusting the speed of movement of the jaws to adjust the speed of compression of the cap while the second actuator has an adjustable actuation speed for adjusting the speed of the push rod so as to adjust the speed of insertion of the cap independently of the speed of compression of the cap.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the compression device comprises a first slide movable in translation acting on two movable jaws and a second slide movable in translation acting on two other movable jaws, the first slide and the second slide being guided in translation in the same direction and being moved in opposite directions.

[0013] Preferably, the first slider and the second slider are moved by means of a control part provided with a cam system and actuated in alternating sliding by a first actuator.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first slide and / or the second slide are provided with an adjustment system for centering the movable jaws.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, the compression device comprises an annular control part controlled in alternating rotation by a first actuator and acting simultaneously on all of the movable jaws to modify their arrangement during the movements, between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

[0016] Typically, the compression device comprises between three and twelve movable jaws and in that the annular control part acts on the movable jaws distributed angularly inside the annular control part. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a capping machine according to the invention.

[0018] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the capping machine illustrated in Figure 1.

[0019] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the compression device of the capping machine, illustrated in the open configuration.

[0020] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the compression device of the capping machine, illustrated in the closed configuration.

[0021] [Fig. 5A-5C] Figures 5A to 5C are views of the concentric compression device according to the invention, illustrated respectively in minimum compression (A), in intermediate compression (B) and in maximum compression (C).

[0022] [Fig. 6A-6C] Figures 6A to 6C are views of an eccentric compression device according to the prior art, illustrated respectively in minimum compression (A), in intermediate compression (B) and in maximum compression (C).

[0023] [Fig. 7A-7D] Figures 7A and 7B are schematic top views showing a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively strong compression (A) and low compression (B) carried out by a concentric compression device according to the invention while figures 7C and 7D are schematic profile views showing a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively high compression (C) and low compression (D) carried out by a concentric compression device according to the invention.

[0024] [Fig. 8A-8D] Figures 8A and 8B are schematic top views showing a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively strong compression (A) and weak compression (B) carried out by an eccentric compression device according to the prior art while Figures 8C and 8D are schematic profile views showing a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, respectively with strong compression (C) and weak compression (D) carried out by an eccentric compression device according to the prior art.

[0025] [Fig. 9A-9D] Figures 9A and 9B are schematic top views showing the positioning of the push rod for a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively strong compression (A) and weak compression (B) carried out by an eccentric compression device according to the prior art while Figures 9C and 9D are schematic profile views showing the positioning of the push rod for a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively strong compression (C) and weak compression (D) carried out by an eccentric compression device according to the prior art.

[0026] [Fig. 10A-10D] Figures 10A and 10B are schematic top views showing the positioning of the push rod for a cap before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively strong compression (A) and weak compression (B) carried out by a concentric compression device according to the invention while Figures 10C and 10D are schematic profile views showing the positioning of the push rod for a stopper before its return to elasticity, mounted inside the neck of a container, with respectively strong compression (C) and weak compression (D) carried out by a concentric compression device according to the invention.

[0027] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a view of an example of a cap with a turn-up.

[0028] [Fig. 12] Figure 12 is a view of another exemplary embodiment of the compression device according to the invention comprising eight movable jaws. Description of the embodiments

[0029] As can be seen from the drawings, the subject of the invention relates to a machine 1 for capping containers provided with a neck 2, such as bottles, by inserting stoppers 3 inside the necks 2 of the containers. The machine 1 comprises a frame 4 delimiting at least one capping station and in the example illustrated a single capping station 5. Of course, the capping machine 1 can be configured to comprise several capping stations 5 distributed linearly or angularly in the form of a carousel for example.

[0030] Each capping station 5 has a placement plane 6 for a container and more precisely for the bottom of the container. Conventionally, the containers are brought successively to the placement plane 6 and removed successively after capping, using all types of handling systems such as transfer stars for example.

[0031] Each capping station 5 comprises a radial compression device 8 for the caps 3 and an insertion device 9 adapted to engage the cap that has just been compressed, inside the neck 2 of a container. As is more precisely shown in Figures 1 and 2, the radial compression device 8 is mounted at the level of a table 10 presented by the frame 4 while the insertion device 9 is positioned above the radial compression device 8. Advantageously, the table 10 is mounted vertically movable so as to be able to adjust, depending on the size of the containers, the distance between the placement plane 6 of the containers and the radial compression device 8. By example, table 10 is supported by three telescopic posts 4a forming part of frame 4.

[0032] The radial compression device 8 comprises movable jaws 11 together defining a receiving opening 12 for a plug 3. The radial compression device 8 also comprises a system 13 for moving the movable jaws 11 in back-and-forth movements to modify their arrangement during the movements, between an open configuration for which the receiving opening 12 can receive a plug 3 (figure 3) and a closed configuration for which the receiving opening 12 compresses the plug (figure 4). As explained for example in patents EP 1 426 323, EP 1 426 322, EP 1 314 683, the side walls of the receiving opening 12 are delimited by the movable jaws 11 which compress the stopper to a size slightly smaller than the mouth of a neck 2 of the container, so as to allow the insertion device 9 to push the stopper inside said neck.The movable jaws 11 are arranged to slide over each other, being provided with return springs 11a to automatically switch from their closed configuration to their open configuration.

[0033] According to a characteristic of the invention, all the movable jaws 11 are mounted to be movable in convergent directions at a point P and the displacement system 13 ensures the concentric displacement of all the movable jaws 11 to ensure concentric compression of the plug 3. It should be understood that all the movable jaws 11 are moved synchronously or simultaneously in their back-and-forth movements. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5A to 5C, the radial compression device 8 comprises four movable jaws 11 while in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 12, the radial compression device 8 comprises eight movable jaws 11. Of course, the radial compression device 8 may comprise a different number of movable jaws, typically between three and twelve, as will be described in the remainder of the description.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5A to 5C, the radial compression device 8 comprises a first slide 15 movable in translation acting on two movable jaws 11 perpendicular to each other and a second slide 16 movable in translation acting on two other movable jaws 11 perpendicular to each other and cooperating with the two movable jaws 11 of the first slide 15. It follows that the first slide 15 and the second slide 16 are arranged on either side of the four movable jaws 11. The first slide 15 and the second slide 16 are guided in translation in the same direction represented by the X axis while being moved in opposite directions. For example, the first slide 15 and the second slide 16 are guided in translation by slides 17 carried by the table 10 and between which the two slides 15, 16 slide.

[0035] Two movable jaws 11 are mechanically and functionally associated with the first slide 15 while two other movable jaws 11 are mechanically and functionally associated with the second slide 16, as explained for example in patent EP 1 426 322. The first slide 15 acts on the one hand directly on a movable jaw 11 in perpendicular contact with another movable jaw 11 on which the second slide 16 acts perpendicularly by means of a return spring 11a and on the other hand, by means of a return spring 11a on another movable jaw 11 in perpendicular contact with another movable jaw 11 on which the second slide 16 acts perpendicularly. These four movable jaws 11 define by their side walls, the reception opening 12 of circular shape inside which a plug is intended to be inserted.

[0036] According to the invention, the first slide 15 and the second slide 16 are movable in translation. In addition, the displacement system 13 of the movable jaws 11 is configured to simultaneously move in opposite directions, the first slide 15 and the second slide 16. Thus, all the movable jaws 11 are moved simultaneously concentrically in the direction of the point P during compression, that is to say when they pass from the open configuration to the closed configuration. Similarly, the displacement system 13 of the movable jaws 11 is configured to simultaneously move all the movable jaws 11 so that they pass from the closed configuration to the open configuration. The slides 15, 16 are moved by the displacement system 13, in the opposite direction and in opposite directions to the direction used for compression.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the displacement system 13 comprises a first actuator 18 moving a control part 19 provided with a cam system 21 acting on the first slide 15 and on the second slide 16. The first slide 15 and the second slide 16 are thus moved by means of a single control part 19 which is actuated in alternating sliding by the first actuator 18. This first actuator 18 can be produced in any suitable and advantageous manner, by a brushless motor making it possible to determine the speed, acceleration and displacement distance to vary the compression diameter of the movable jaws.

[0038] In the illustrated example, the control part 19 is in the form of a two-armed fork 19a guided in sliding in a direction perpendicular to the translation direction X of the slides 15, 16. The control part 19 is guided in sliding by any guide systems, for example rollers 22 mounted on the table 10 in the illustrated example. The arms 19a of the fork support the cam system 21 arranged in the form of ramps to act on the free ends of the slides 15, 16 opposite those cooperating with the movable jaws 11. The cam system 21 is configured to move the first slide 15 and the second slide 16 in a synchronized manner, in opposite directions.Thus, the movement of the control part 19 in one direction leads to the slides 15, 16 moving closer together, simultaneously causing all the movable jaws 11 to move to occupy the closed configuration, while the movement of the control part 19 in the opposite direction leads to the slides 15, 16 moving apart from each other, simultaneously causing all the movable jaws 11 to move to occupy the open configuration.

[0039] Of course, the cam system 21 is configured to ensure a progressive movement of the slides 15 and 16 along the same stroke. Thus, the displacement stroke of the slides 15, 16 can be adjusted according to the translation stroke of the control part 19. In the same direction, the cam system 21 can be changed to modify the sliding amplitude of the slides 15, 16.

[0040] The movement system 13 described above makes it possible, by using a single actuator 18, to move the two slides 15, 16 simultaneously and synchronously, in opposite directions. Of course, it is possible to implement a movement system using several actuators to ensure the concentric movement of all the movable jaws 11.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first slide 15 and / or the second slide 16 are provided with an adjustment system 24 for centering the movable jaws 11. In the example illustrated, the first slide 15 and the second slide 16 are provided with an adjustment system 24. This adjustment system 24 is configured to be inserted between a slide 15, 16 and the cam system 21 making it possible to adjust the position of the movable jaws 11 relative to the slide which acts on these movable jaws. This adjustment system 24 may be in the form of an eccentric axis acting on a slide. This eccentric axis is provided with a star-shaped wheel making it possible to determine the axial positioning of the eccentric axis and consequently, the degree of adjustment as a function of the position of the wheel.

[0042] In the embodiment described above, the radial compression device 8 comprises sliders 15, 16 moved in sliding motion. Figure 12 illustrates another embodiment for which the radial compression device 8 comprises an annular control part 26 controlled in alternating rotation by a first actuator I and acting simultaneously on all of the movable jaws 11 to modify their arrangement during the movements, between the open configuration and the closed configuration. As described above, all of the movable jaws 11 of the radial compression device 8 are mounted to be movable in convergent directions at a point P by cooperating with each other at their free end to delimit the receiving opening 12. The movable jaws 11 are distributed regularly angularly inside the part annular control part 26 which acts on the movable jaws 11. Each movable jaw 11 has an oblong slot 11b cooperating with a guide pin 28 allowing the movable jaw 11 to be guided in radial sliding. Each movable jaw 11 also has an oblong control slot 11c in which an actuating stud 26a is inserted, mounted integrally with the annular control part 26 using an axis 31. The control slots 11c are oriented in a non-radial direction to transform the annular rotational movement of the control part 26 into radial movements in order to obtain the movement of the movable jaws comparable to the movement of a diaphragm. In the example illustrated, the radial compression device 8 comprises eight movable jaws 11. Of course, the radial compression device 8 can comprise a different number of movable jaws 11, for example between three and twelve movable jaws 11.

[0043] It is clear from the above description that the system for moving the movable jaws 11 ensures the simultaneous concentric movement of all the movable jaws 11 to ensure concentric compression of the cap 3. Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the advantage of concentric compression compared to the prior art which conventionally performs eccentric compression. In an embodiment with four movable jaws, the prior art proposes mounting two jaws (forming a jaw) on a movable carriage and two other opposite jaws on a stationary carriage. The movable jaw moves towards the stationary jaw via a cam making it possible to obtain the final compression of the cap. The cap is compressed by moving from the movable jaw towards the stationary jaw. This movement transcribes a translation generating eccentric compression relative to the central axis P of the neck of the bottle as shown in Figures 6A to 6C.Conversely, the invention opts for concentric compression, by creating a translational movement making the two jaws or the two slides 15, 16 mobile. The compression then becomes concentric and the two slides translate towards each other towards the central point P of the neck of the container. All the mobile jaws 11 are thus moved towards the central point P with the same. movement (identical direction and speed) but also in the opposite direction from the central point P.

[0044] Concentric compression provides several advantages. The cap 3, during its compression, translates concentrically towards its center, thus limiting friction. This has the effect of less damage to the cap and generates less dust likely to clog the radial compression device, or even end up in the neck of the container. The compression is also distributed over the entire cap. In addition, such compression distributed over the entire cap prevents the movable jaws 44 from applying a rotational torque to the cap, which rotational torque could generate fractures on the cork cells, and thus affect the mechanical properties of the cap. The sealing of the cap could be affected by such a rotational torque.

[0045] Furthermore, the compression diameter adjustment is located on the two slides 15, 16, allowing the concentricity of the compression to be maintained at each desired change of compression diameters. This is not the case on existing machines where only one adjustment is possible on the set of movable jaws, so in addition to the eccentric compression, the adjustment is also eccentric, which results in poor quality capping when it is desired to use caps with a larger diameter.

[0046] It should be noted that a larger diameter cap must be compressed less than a smaller diameter cap. This is to avoid damaging the cork cells, which would affect the mechanical properties of the cap, particularly its elasticity in recovering its diameter in the neck of the container after compression. This significantly affects the cap's tightness and its lifespan.

[0047] Figures 7A and 7B represent a stopper 3 still in the compressed position (before its return to elasticity), in the neck of a container with strong compression for Figures 7A, 7C (small diameter stopper) and with weak compression for Figures 7B, 7D (large diameter stopper). To the extent that such a stopper has undergone concentric compression in accordance with the invention, the cap 3 is correctly positioned inside the neck.

[0048] Figures 8A and 8C show a stopper 3 still in the compressed position (before its return to elasticity), inserted into the neck of a container, with strong eccentric compression for Figures 8A, 8C (small diameter stopper) and with weak compression for Figures 8B, 8D (large diameter stopper). To the extent that such a stopper has undergone eccentric compression according to the prior art, the stopper is not correctly positioned inside the neck. A curling R of the stopper 3 appears due in particular to the friction of the stopper along the neck. The stopper 3 is damaged, affecting the sealing of the stopper and its service life.

[0049] Additionally, it should be noted that the eccentric compression of a wider cap does not allow perfect centering of the retraction of the cap into the neck of the container since it is pushed in eccentrically due to its eccentric compression. Figures 9A to 9D illustrate the position of the insertion device 9 with a cap having eccentric compression according to the prior art. As shown in Figures 9B and 9D, this has the effect of forming a curl R (interior) of the cap, due to friction along the neck and due to an eccentric depression relative to the center of the cap 3. This causes poor quality capping reducing the life of the capping and promotes the risk of dripping (leaking cap) via the curl. Figure 11 illustrates a cap having such a curl defect R.

[0050] Conversely, figures 10A to 10D show the position of the insertion device 9 with a plug 3 having a concentric compression in accordance with the invention not causing any defect whatever the compression and whatever the diameter of the plug.

[0051] The capping machine 1 according to the invention comprises an insertion device 9 of any type known per se. Typically, the insertion device 9 comprises a push rod 9a, driven by a reciprocating movement in such a way that the push rod 9a reaches an insertion position for in which the stopper 3 is completely inserted inside the neck of the container. After the stopper has been pushed in, the push rod 9a is released from the receiving opening 12 to allow a new stopper to be inserted between the movable jaws 11.

[0052] Conventionally, the capping machine 1 also comprises a dispenser 32 for caps 3 making it possible to bring a cap into the receiving opening 12. This dispenser 32 is for example supported by the table 10 and comprises a cavity 33 for receiving a cap coming from a supply chute 34. This dispenser 32 is mounted to move in alternating sliding motion using an actuator 35 to bring the cap inserted into the cavity 33, above the opening 12 of the radial compression device 8 and to return the dispenser to its position for receiving a new cap, that is to say in a position where the cavity 33 is located below the outlet of the supply chute 34.

[0053] According to the invention, the insertion device 9 comprises an actuation system 9b of the push rod 9a, the movement of which is independent of the movement of the displacement system 13 of the movable jaws 11.

[0054] It is recalled that the displacement system 13 of the movable jaws 11 comprises a first actuator 18. The actuation system 9b of the push rod 9a comprises at least one second actuator 9c for inserting the compressed stopper inside the neck of the container, the operation of which is independent of the operation of the first actuator 18. This second actuator 9c can be produced in any suitable and advantageous manner, by a brushless motor making it possible to determine the speed, acceleration and displacement distance to vary the insertion of the stopper into the neck. The second actuator 9c is controlled by a control unit of any type known per se to form the actuation system 9b.

[0055] Conventionally, the first actuator 18 is controlled by a control unit to concentrically move all the movable jaws 11 to ensure concentric compression of the cap while the second actuator 9c is driven by the control unit to insert the compressed cap inside the neck of the container. Of course, the second actuator 9c is driven by the control unit to disengage the push rod 9a from the receiving opening after the cap has been inserted into the neck while the first actuator 18 is driven by the control unit to move the movable jaws 11 so as to be arranged in their open configuration in order to be able to receive a new cap.

[0056] The implementation of a first actuator 18 for compressing the plugs and a second actuator 9c for driving the plugs makes it possible to dissociate the compression speed and the driving speed. Generally speaking, the first actuator 18 has an adjustable actuation speed making it possible to adjust the speed of movement of the movable jaws 11 in order to adjust the compression speed of the plug while the second actuator 9c has an adjustable actuation speed making it possible to adjust the speed of the push rod 9a so as to adjust the insertion speed of the plug independently of the compression speed of the plug.

[0057] The object of the invention makes it possible to mechanically dissociate the compression movement and the driving movement in order to be able to independently adjust the compression speed and the driving speed whatever the rate. Therefore, it is possible to improve the capping quality while also preserving the intrinsic quality of the cap: Either by improving the regularity of the capping by optimizing the compression speed and the driving speed at the maximum rate of the machine and maintaining this dynamic whatever the rate. As a result, the capping quality is regular whatever the rate variations. Or by improving the pure quality of the capping by reducing the compression speed as much as possible while maintaining the fastest possible driving speed at each established rate. As a result, the capping is better.

[0058] The combination of the two previous improvements on the quality of the closure and the preservation of the closure allows to improve the flexibility on the different formats of bottles and closures at the closure: Indeed, in Using two different drives allowing control of speed, acceleration and angular positioning, it is possible to replace the manual adjustment of the compression of the movable jaws with an automatic adjustment and control the movements and positions as well as the insertion of the cap.

[0059] The automatic compression adjustment allows the compression diameters and movement speeds to be predefined and set. This results in perfect compression optimization between the diameter of the cap and that of the container neck, in addition to optimizing the compression and insertion speed kinematics according to the rate, and this automatically.

[0060] This is all the more interesting since today the choice of container neck diameters and that of cork diameters is more varied than before. The same is true for the types of corks, which are increasingly varied in terms of material. There are natural corks, agglomerates (a mixture of cork granules or dust with a binder), and plastics. Each has different mechanical properties and requires a suitable closure. For example, plastic corks are less mechanically efficient, particularly with regard to their return to elasticity, which is low, and must therefore be less compressed. Conversely, some agglomerated corks have a high return to elasticity and require a higher speed of insertion to avoid settling. Regarding natural corks, there is also a diversity depending on the batch, so there is an interest in optimizing the closure according to the density of the corks.

[0061] Apart from conventional bottles, the capping machine according to the invention also allows larger containers such as volumes (300cl - 600cl and more) to be capped on the same machine. Indeed, the caps for such containers have a diameter of 30 to 38mm instead of 24 to 26mm and existing machines are not able to adapt to this amplitude, in particular because of the opening diameter of the jaw block and the compression diameter. With concentric compression and by automating the compression adjustment, it is therefore possible to cap these large formats of bottles with a suitable machine height. In the same way as conventional bottles and caps, it is now possible to optimize the capping quality for these bottles with efficient and durable sealing.

[0062] The corking machine according to the invention makes it possible to improve the quality of corking as has never been achieved before. This machine is capable of adapting to all ranges of bottles and corks developed by optimizing the compression and compression parameters as much as possible in order to obtain a quality corking for better preservation of wines over time.

Claims

Claims

1. Machine for capping containers provided with necks (2), by inserting stoppers (3) inside the necks of the containers, the machine comprising a chassis (4) delimiting at least one capping station (5) each having: - a laying plan (6) for a container; - a radial compression device (8) for the caps comprising movable jaws (11) defining a receiving opening (12) for a cap and a system (13) for moving the movable jaws in back-and-forth movements to modify their arrangement during the movements, between an open configuration for which the receiving opening (12) can receive a cap and a closed configuration for which the receiving opening (12) compresses the cap: - a device (9) for inserting a stopper inside the neck of a container comprising a push rod (9a), driven by a reciprocating movement in such a way that the push rod reaches an insertion position for which the stopper is completely inserted inside the neck of the container, characterized in that: - all the movable jaws (11) of the compression device (8) are mounted to be movable in directions converging at a point (P); - the movement system (13) of the movable jaws ensures the concentric movement of all the movable jaws (11) to ensure concentric compression of the plug; - the insertion device (9) comprises an actuation system (9b) for the push rod (9a) whose movement is independent of the movement of the displacement system (13) of the movable jaws.

2. Machine according to claim 1 according to which the system (13) for moving the jaws comprises at least one first actuator (18) controlled by a control unit to concentrically move all the movable jaws (11) to ensure compression concentric of the cap while the actuation system (9b) of the push rod (9a) comprises a second actuator (9c) controlled by the control unit to insert the compressed cap inside the neck of the container.

3. Machine according to claim 2 according to which the second actuator is controlled to disengage the push rod (9a) from the receiving opening (12) after the insertion of the cap into the neck while the first actuator (18) is controlled by the control unit to move the movable jaws so as to be arranged in their open configuration in order to be able to receive a new cap.

4. Machine according to one of claims 2 or 3 according to which the first actuator (18) has an adjustable actuation speed making it possible to adjust the speed of movement of the jaws in order to adjust the compression speed of the cap while the second actuator (9c) has an adjustable actuation speed making it possible to adjust the speed of the push rod (9a) so as to adjust the insertion speed of the cap independently of the compression speed of the cap.

5. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, according to which the compression device (8) comprises a first slide (15) movable in translation acting on two movable jaws (11) and a second slide (16) movable in translation acting on two other movable jaws (11), the first slide (15) and the second slide (16) being guided in translation in the same direction and being moved in opposite directions.

6. Machine according to the preceding claim according to which the first slide (15) and the second slide (16) are moved by means of a control part (19) provided with a cam system (21) and actuated in alternating sliding by a first actuator (18).

7. Machine according to one of claims 5 or 6 according to which the first slide (15) and / or the second slide (16) are provided with an adjustment system (24) for centering the movable jaws (11).

8. Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4 according to which the compression device (8) comprises an annular control part (26) controlled in alternating rotation by a first actuator (27) and acting simultaneously on all of the movable jaws (11) to modify their arrangement during the movements, between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

9. Machine according to the preceding claim according to which the compression device (8) comprises between three and twelve movable jaws (11) and in that the annular control part (26) acts on the movable jaws (11) distributed angularly inside the annular control part (26).

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