Device and method for wetting a portion of a fiber-based container

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (40) for wetting a portion (21) of a fiber-based container (20) and to a corresponding method. The device (40) has a wetting device (30) and a positioning device (50) for positioning the fiber-based container (20) relative to the wetting device (30).

Description

[0001] Device and method for moistening a portion of a fiber-based container

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for moistening a portion of a fiber-based container according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0003] Different devices for assembling fiber-based containers are known from the state of the art.

[0004] WO 2023 / 118058 A1, for example, discloses a device for cutting off a protruding portion of a fiber-based container using a laser beam. A disadvantage is that a subsequent coating of the container in the area of ​​the cut edge exhibits different properties than the rest of the container and may adhere poorly.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to remedy at least one or more disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a device and / or a method is to be provided that enable a coating to be applied uniformly to a container.

[0006] This object is achieved by the devices and methods defined in the independent patent claims. Further embodiments emerge from the dependent patent claims.

[0007] A device according to the invention is a device for humidifying a portion of a fiber-based container. This device comprises a humidification device.

[0008] It has been found that by treating the container with a laser and thus in particular by applying heat, the moisture content in a partial area, in this case in the area of ​​the cutting edge, is lower than in the areas of the container that border on this partial area.

[0009] By providing a device for humidifying this partial area, a moisture gradient can be compensated. In other words, the moisture extracted from the partial area can be returned. The container thus has a substantially uniform moisture content in all areas.

[0010] Accordingly, the boundary conditions for subsequent coating are the same for all areas of the container. For example, if the container is subjected to a powder coating process, the coating will deposit evenly on the surface of the container, as it is essentially homogeneous, at least in terms of moisture content.

[0011] This ultimately results in a more uniform coating, especially a more uniform layer thickness. The coating's adhesion is also uniform across the entire container surface.

[0012] Preferably, the device for moistening the partial area of ​​the fiber-based container has a positioning device for, in particular stationary, positioning of the fiber-based container in relation to the moistening device.

[0013] This makes it possible to arrange the part of the container to be humidified precisely and, in particular, in a position that is unchangeable relative to the humidification device, thus ensuring that only the part of the container that actually has too little humidity is humidified.

[0014] The positioning device may include holding elements, in particular gripping tongs or vacuum devices, for holding the fiber-based container. Accordingly, the fiber-based container can be held securely and immovably in a specific position, and a corresponding moistening process can be carried out.

[0015] The humidification device can be arranged stationary, but is preferably axially movable.

[0016] Axial mobility allows the humidification device to be positioned axially relative to the area to be humidified, bringing it into close proximity. This allows for precise humidification of the area and, in particular, prevents moisture from condensing in areas where additional humidification is not necessary.

[0017] The humidification device may have a nozzle. A humidifying mist can be emitted through a nozzle, which has a homogeneous distribution of droplets, thus allowing a specific area to be evenly moistened.

[0018] Preferably, the nozzle is designed to produce a conical mist. By selecting a specific conical opening and a specific distance from the partial area, a corresponding area can be specifically exposed to the mist.

[0019] However, it is possible to design the nozzle as a circular gap. The circular gap is chosen in particular in such a way that it essentially corresponds to the area to be humidified. In this case, the area to be humidified is typically an opening of the

[0020] container, i.e. essentially a circular ring-shaped area. By designing the nozzle accordingly, precisely this area can be specifically targeted. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the nozzle to be movable along the partial area, in particular along a circular path. This makes it possible to move the nozzle along the opening or along the processing edge, i.e. the cutting edge, of the container and to humidify it. This makes it possible to design the nozzle with a very small diameter, for example, so that the mist emitted is also very precise.

[0021] Alternatively, it is possible to equip the humidification device with a sponge. Accordingly, the humidification device has a swarm. Moisture contained in the sponge can be released onto the area to be humidified by gently pressing it against it. The sponge is essentially flat or can be shaped to match the contour of the area to be humidified.

[0022] In the present case, particularly if the area to be humidified is designed as a container opening, the sponge can have an annular shape. The sponge thus essentially covers the area to be humidified.

[0023] An axially movable humidification device is particularly advantageous when using a sponge for humidification. The sponge can be pressed onto the area to be humidified like a stamp.

[0024] Preferably, the portion of the container to be moistened is a neck of the fiber-based container, in particular a cut edge on the neck of the fiber-based container.

[0025] This is the area that has dried out due to the unwanted heat treatment of the laser compared to the rest of the container and therefore has a lower moisture content.

[0026] A further aspect relates to a method for humidifying a partial region of a fiber-based container. The method is carried out in particular using a device as described herein. In the method for humidifying a partial region of a fiber-based container, the partial region of the container is humidified using a humidifying device.

[0027] By appropriately humidifying the partial area, the moisture content within the container, particularly within a container wall, can be compensated.

[0028] Preferably, in a first step, the container to be humidified, with the partial area to be humidified, is positioned adjacent to the humidification device. The container is preferably positioned in a stationary manner.

[0029] To humidify the partial area, a supply of an ionized or ionizable liquid, in particular water, can be delivered from the humidification device to the fiber-based container.

[0030] An ionized or ionizable liquid makes it possible to provide the desired conductivity of the container and / or the sub-area. This is particularly advantageous if the container is subsequently subjected to a powder coating process.

[0031] It can be provided that the liquid supply is dispensed or released in the form of a spray mist.

[0032] A spray mist is an essentially homogeneous distribution of extremely fine water droplets that allows a specific area to be evenly moistened, as already explained in relation to the device. The same advantages arise analogously.

[0033] Alternatively, the liquid supply can be released through a squeezing process. This squeezing process makes it possible to release a liquid supply in a very targeted manner, particularly within a very narrow tolerance range.

[0034] Particularly with regard to the latter process, the liquid supply can be provided in a sponge.

[0035] The fluid supply is bound in the sponge and is only released when a corresponding squeezing process is initiated. Furthermore, fluid is only released where the sponge is pressed against a corresponding counterpart, for example, the cut edge of a container.

[0036] It is conceivable that the release of the liquid supply could be controlled based on at least one moisture measurement. This could involve first checking the moisture content of the area to be moistened and then taking a corresponding measurement. Based on this measurement, for example, a squeezing process, or rather its length, could be controlled. The duration of a spraying process could be controlled in a similar way.

[0037] To improve the adjustment of the liquid supply dispensing, a second humidity measurement can be performed. In particular, a first humidity measurement is performed on the container and a second measurement is performed on the area to be humidified. Based on these two measurements, a humidity difference and / or a humidity gradient can be calculated, which serves as an input value for controlling the humidification process.

[0038] The invention is explained below using schematic figures. It shows:

[0039] Figure 1: A first embodiment of a device;

[0040] Figure 2: a second embodiment of a device. Figure 1 shows a device 40 for moistening a partial area 21 of a fiber-based container 20. As can be seen, the device 20 has a positioning device 50 for positioning the fiber-based container 20. Holding elements 51 are also arranged on the positioning device 20 in order to hold the container 20 in an upright position.

[0041] A humidification device 30 is arranged on the device 40. The humidification device 30 in this case has a sponge 31. The humidification device 30 is in this case axially movable along the double arrow shown. A media supply line carries a water supply to the sponge 31. As soon as a container 20 is positioned, the humidification device 30 can be moved axially and the sponge 31 can be pressed onto the partial area 21 to be humidified. In this case, this is a cut edge which is formed on a neck of the container 20. The latter can be moistened accordingly by simply pressing the sponge 31 onto this cut edge.

[0042] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 40 for humidifying a partial area 21 of a fiber-based container 20. The device 40 according to Figure 2 is constructed analogously to the device 40 of Figure 1. It differs from the device of Figure 1 in that, instead of the sponge 31, a nozzle 32 is arranged on the humidifying device 30. Since the nozzle 32 sprays a mist, it is no longer absolutely necessary for the humidifying device to be axially movable.

[0043] In both embodiments, however, it is advantageous that the container is held by a positioning device. This prevents it from tipping over, for example, if a force is exerted on the container by the sponge, and also allows the humidification processes to be monitored.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (40) for humidifying a partial area (21) of a fiber-based container (20), said device (40) comprising a humidifying device (30), characterized in that the device (40) comprises a positioning device (50) for positioning the fiber-based container (20) in relation to the humidifying device (30).

2. Device (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning device (50) has holding elements, in particular gripping tongs or vacuum devices, for holding the fiber-based container (20).

3. Device (40) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the humidifying device (30) is axially movable.

4. Device (40) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the humidifying device (30) has a nozzle (31).

5. Device (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle (31) forms a conical mist.

6. Device (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle (31) is designed as an annular gap.

7. Device (40) according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle (31) is movable along the partial region (21), in particular on a circular path.

8. Device (40) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the moistening device (30) comprises a sponge (31).

9. Device (40) according to claim 9, characterized in that the sponge (32) is annular.

10. Device (40) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the partial region (21) is a neck (22) of the fiber-based container, in particular a cut edge (23) on the neck (22).

11. Method for humidifying a partial area (21) of a fiber-based container (20), in particular with a device (40) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the partial area (21) of the container is humidified with a humidifying device (30).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in a first step the container (20) to be humidified is provided with the partial area (21) adjacent to the humidification device (30), in particular stationary.

13. Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that for humidifying the partial area (21) a supply of an ionized or ionizable liquid, in particular water, is delivered from the humidifying device (30) to the fiber-based container (20).

14. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the liquid supply is dispensed in the form of a spray.

15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the liquid supply is dispensed by a pressing process.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the liquid supply is provided in a sponge (32). io 17. Method according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the release of the liquid supply is controlled based on at least one moisture measurement.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that a first humidity measurement is carried out on the container (20) and a second measurement on the partial area (21).

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