Device for screwing a capsule onto a packaging body

Abstract

Device 10 for screwing a cap onto an access opening edge of a packaging body, referred to as the opening edge, the device being of the type comprising: - differential contact means 22 with the cap, intended to rotate the cap for screwing it onto the opening edge, - means 24 for adjusting the contact force of the differential contact means 22 on the cap. The means 24 for adjusting the contact force of the differential contact means 22 comprise pneumatic means 36 controlled by at least one electrically controlled proportional valve 38. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 4

Description

Title of the invention: Device for screwing a capsule onto a packaging body

[0001] The invention relates to a device for screwing a capsule onto an access opening edge of a packaging body.

[0002] Such a screwing device can advantageously be integrated into a capping device comprising a conveying device intended to convey, firstly, the packaging body to a zone for docking the capsule with the opening edge, then, the entire packaging body and the capsule which has been docked on the latter, to the screwing device for this capsule.

[0003] The capsule can be brought into contact with the opening edge in the presence of steam. If necessary, the capsule can also be screwed on in the presence of steam.

[0004] The packaging body is generally made of glass, and the cap is, for example, of the "twist-off" type. Twist-off caps are provided with lugs designed to cooperate with a discontinuous screw thread on the access opening edge of the packaging body, for opening and closing in less than one turn of the opening edge of the packaging body, and are known in particular from document FR3011229.

[0005] The technique for screwing a cap onto a device is already known. The packaging bodies are conveyed in a conveying device to a screwing zone, and the caps are guided so that one cap is assigned to each packaging body for screwing onto it. Generally, the packaging bodies are held in place during conveying by guide belts, in particular to prevent the packaging body from rotating when the cap is screwed onto it. These belts are made of a continuous material, for example, an elastomer. The belts can be replaced by chains with sliders, or any other endless guiding element. A screwing device is particularly known in which means having differential contact with the cap cause the cap to rotate for screwing onto the access opening edge of the packaging body.Generally, the contact force on the capsule of differential contact tools is adjusted manually using a set of springs and knobs, which is quite bulky. Adjusting the contact force of the differential contact tools is done by the user of the screwdriving device. This operation is delicate and time-consuming.

[0006] The invention aims in particular to provide the user with a device for screwing in which the adjustment of the support force of the differential contact means is simplified for the user.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a device for screwing a capsule onto an access opening edge of a packaging body, referred to as the opening edge, the device being of the type comprising: . means with differential contact with the capsule intended to drive the capsule in rotation for screwing it onto the opening edge, . means for adjusting the support force of the differential contact means on the capsule. Furthermore, the means for adjusting the support force of the differential contact means include pneumatic means controlled by at least one electrically controlled proportional valve.

[0008] The electrical control of the proportional valve allows for very precise, ergonomic, and potentially programmable adjustment of the contact force of the differential contact devices. This adjustment can be made by the user using electrical means, including, for example, digital human-machine interface devices, in particular a digital display, and, where applicable, programming means.

[0009] A screwing device according to the invention also makes it possible to reduce the size of mechanical means such as springs and knobs, arranged near the differential contact means. Indeed, these mechanical means are eliminated in favor of pneumatic means that can be arranged further away from the differential contact means.

[0010] Depending on other optional features of the screwing device, taken alone or in combination:

[0011] - The differential contact means comprise first and second elements in relative movement between them, intended to be in contact with the capsule, these first and second (30) organs in relative movement being intended to cooperate with two substantially diametrically opposed parts of the capsule to rotate it in the direction of screwing.

[0012] - The first component is formed by a fixed pad intended to be in contact with the capsule and the second element is formed by a strand of an endless moving strip, intended to be in contact with the capsule (12), the differential contact means further comprising a support bearing the fixed contact pad and a support pad on the contact strand of the endless strip, the means for adjusting the support force of the differential contact means acting on the support.

[0013] - The pneumatic means comprise at least one pneumatic cylinder comprising a piston connected by means of motion transmission to the support support.

[0014] - The pneumatic means comprise first and second pneumatic cylinders comprising respectively first and second pistons connected respectively by first and second means of motion transmission to first and second ends of the support support, these first and second ends of the support support being spaced apart in the direction of scrolling of the contact strand of the strip so as to allow a position of the support support inclined around an axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of scrolling of the contact strand of the moving strip. This inclination of the support support allows to create between, on the one hand, the fixed pad and the strand of the band and, on the other hand, a drive band of the packaging bodies, a convergence in the direction of the path of the packaging bodies, thus promoting a progression of the support force of the pad and the contact strand of the band on the capsule during the path of the packaging body.

[0015] - The first and second means of transmitting motion include respectively of the first and second shafts, with axes substantially orthogonal to the direction of movement of the contact strand of the moving strip, intended to be driven respectively by the first and second pistons and connected respectively to the first and second ends of the adjustable support support by cranks having ends articulated on the support support so as to allow a variation in spacing between the articulated ends of the cranks.

[0016] - The pneumatic means are of the air type.

[0017] - The device is intended for screwing onto the opening edge of a capsule of the type twist-off.

[0018] The invention also relates to a device for capping an access opening edge of packaging body comprising a device for screwing a cap onto the opening edge. Brief description of the figures

[0019] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] is a front view of a device, according to the invention, for screwing a capsule on an access opening edge of the packaging body;

[0021] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of part of this screwing device;

[0022] [Fig.3] is a side view of the screwing device of [Fig.1];

[0023] [Fig.4] is another perspective view of the screwing device showing additional elements compared to those visible on [Fig.2].

[0024] Figures show a device according to the invention, designated by general reference numeral 10, for screwing a cap 12 onto an opening 14, which provides access to a packaging body 16. The cap 12 and the packaging body 16 are of conventional type. Thus, the cap 12 is made of a conventional material, for example, metal. The cap 12 is, for example, a twist-off type cap. The cap 12 has a conventional sealing gasket on its inner surface. The packaging body 16 is made of a conventional material, for example, glass.

[0025] The screwing device 10 is intended to be integrated into a capping device comprising a conveying device 18 intended to convey, firstly, the packaging body 16 to a docking zone of the capsule 12 with the opening edge 14, then, the entire packaging body 16 and the capsule 14 which has been docked on the latter, to the screwing device 10 of this capsule 12.

[0026] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.2], the conveying device 18 comprises two endless guide belts 20, one of which is visible in [Fig.2]. These belts 20, of a conventional type, are substantially parallel to each other and are intended to extend laterally on either side of the packaging body 16.

[0027] The belts 20 are made of a continuous material comprising, for example, an elastomer. The belts 20 can be replaced by slid chains, or any other endless guiding element.

[0028] The conveying device 18 also includes a drive belt 21 on which the packaging body 16 is placed so as to drive this body 16.

[0029] The screwing device 10 is intended to screw capsules 12 onto a series of packaging bodies 16 circulating in the conveying device 18.

[0030] The screwing device 10 includes means 22 with differential contact with the capsule 12, intended to drive the capsule 12 in rotation for screwing it onto the opening edge 14 of the packaging body 16.

[0031] The screwing device 10 also includes means 24 for adjusting the support force of the differential contact means 22 on the capsule 12.

[0032] In the example described, the differential contact means 22 comprise, as can be seen in particular on [Fig.2], a fixed pad 26 intended to be in contact with the capsule 12, and a strand 28 of an endless moving belt 30, intended to be in contact with the capsule 12. The endless belt 30 is mounted on conventional drive and guide means.

[0033] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the fixed pad 26 and the contact strand 28 of the moving band 30 are intended to cooperate with two substantially diametrically opposite parts of the capsule 12 to rotate it in the screwing direction. Thus, in the illustrated example, the capsule 12 having a general shape of revolution, the fixed pad 26 and the strand 28 of the band 30 cooperate with two halves of the top of the capsule 12 so as to drive it in rotation for its screwing by differential effect, the fixed pad 26 tending to retain one part of the top of the capsule and the strand 28 of the band 30 tending to drive in rotation the other part of the capsule 12.

[0034] The guide belts 20 retain the packaging body 16 by friction so as to allow the relative screwing movement of the capsule 12 on this packaging body 16.

[0035] The differential contact means 22 further include a support support 32 carrying the fixed pad 26 and a pad 34 (see [Fig.2]) bearing on the contact strand 28 of the strip 30.

[0036] The support adjustment means 24 act on the support support 32.

[0037] With particular reference to [Fig. 4], it can be seen that the support adjustment means 24 comprise pneumatic means 36, preferably of the air type, controlled by at least one electrically operated proportional valve 38. The proportional valve 38 is of a conventional type. It is preferably connected to a human-machine interface, comprising, for example, a conventional digital display and programming means to facilitate its operation.

[0038] In the example described, the pneumatic means comprise first 40 and second 42 pneumatic cylinders. It should be noted that the proportional valve 38 is connected in a manner known per se to the two pneumatic cylinders 40, 42.

[0039] The first 40 and second 42 pneumatic cylinders respectively comprise first 40P and second 42P pistons connected respectively by first 44 and second 46 motion transmission means to first 32A and second 32B ends of the support 32 (see in particular Figures 1, 2 and 4). The first 32A and second 32B ends of the support 32 are spaced apart in the direction of travel of the contact strand 28 of the strip 30 so as to allow a position of the support 32 inclined about an axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the contact strand 28 of the strip 30.

[0040] This inclination of the support support 32 makes it possible to create between, on the one hand, the fixed pad 26 and the strand 28 of the belt 30 and, on the other hand, the belt 21 for driving the packaging bodies 16, a convergence in the direction of the path of the packaging bodies 16, promoting a progression of the support force of the pad 26 and the contact strand 28 of the belt 30 on the capsule 12 during the path of a packaging body 16 carrying this capsule 12.

[0041] With particular reference to Figures 1, 2 and 4, it can be seen that the first 44 and second 46 motion transmission means comprise respectively first 48 and second 50 shafts, with axes substantially orthogonal to the direction of the unwinding of the strand 28 of the strip 30, intended to be driven respectively by the first 40P and second 42P pistons. For this purpose, the first 48 and second 50 shafts are connected respectively to the first 40P and second 42P pistons by corresponding cranks 52, 54. Furthermore, the first 48 and second 50 shafts are connected respectively to the first 32A and second 32B ends of the support 32 by corresponding cranks 56, 58 having ends connected respectively to the ends 32A, 32B of the support 32 by joints 60, 62. It should be noted that the joint 62 includes an oblong hole 64 allowing movement of the crank 58 so as to permit a variation in the spacing between the articulated ends of the cranks 56, 58.

[0042] According to an unrepresented variant, it might be possible to provide for the pneumatic means 36 a single pneumatic cylinder whose piston would be connected by means of motion transmission to the support 32.

[0043] When the first 40 and second 42 pneumatic cylinders are activated, their respective pistons 40P, 42P are each returned to the salient position at the end of their stroke by the elastic effect of the gas (air) contained in the cylinders 40, 42. When the drive belt 21 brings a packaging body 16 carrying a capsule 12 to the differential contact means 22, the cooperation of the capsule 12 with these differential contact means 22 tends to stress these differential contact means 22 against the elastic restoring force imposed by the gas of the pneumatic cylinders 40, 42.

[0044] The user can thus adjust the support force of the support 32 on the capsule 12 by adjusting the stiffness of the return force of the pneumatic cylinders 40, 42 via the proportional valve 38.

[0045] The electrical control of the proportional valve 38 which controls the pneumatic means 36 allows the support force of the differential contact means 22 on a screw-on capsule 12 to be adjusted, thanks to the digital screen human-machine interface, in a very precise, ergonomic and possibly programmable way.

[0046] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art. In particular, the device according to the invention can be used for screwing screw-on caps other than twist-off caps. The screwing device can be associated with any conveying device known to those skilled in the art, and this conveying device does not necessarily have to include two guide belts.

[0047] Furthermore, differential contact means do not necessarily comprise a fixed pad associated with an endless moving belt. Indeed, differential contact means may comprise first and second elements in relative motion, intended to be in contact with the capsule, the first and second elements in relative motion being intended to cooperate with two substantially diametrically opposed to the capsule to rotate it in the screwing direction. Thus, the first and second parts in relative motion can be formed by first and second endless moving strips, driven at different speeds. List of references

[0048] 10: device for screwing on a capsule 12: capsule 14: Opening edge 16: Packaging body 18: Conveyor device 20: guide belt 21: Drive belt for the packaging body 22: Differential contact means 24: means for adjusting the contact force of the differential contact means 26: fixed skate 28: strand of the endless moving strip 30: endless moving band 32: support bracket 32A, 32B: end of the support bracket 34: support pad 36: Pneumatic means 38: Proportional valve 40, 42: pneumatic cylinder 40P, 42P: piston 44, 46: means of transmitting motion 48, 50: tree 52, 54: crank connecting a shaft to a piston 56, 58: crank connecting a shaft to one end of the support 60,62: joint 64: oblong hole of a joint

Claims

1. Claims Device (10) for screwing a capsule (12) onto an edge (14) of an access opening of a packaging body (16), called the opening edge, the device being of the type comprising: - differential contact means (22) with the capsule (12), intended to drive the capsule (12) in rotation for its screwing onto the opening edge (14), - means (24) for adjusting the bearing force of the differential contact means (22) on the capsule (12), characterized in that the means (24) for adjusting the support force of the differential contact means (22) comprise pneumatic means (36) controlled by at least one electrically controlled proportional valve (38), in which the differential contact means (22) comprise first (26) and second (28) members in relative movement with each other, intended to be in contact with the capsule (12), these first (26) and second (28) members in relative movement being intended to cooperate with two substantially diametrically opposed parts of the capsule (12) to make it rotate in the screwing direction, and in which the first member is formed by a fixed pad (26) intended to be in contact with the capsule (12) and the second member is formed by a strand (28) of an endless mobile band (30), intended to be in contact with the capsule (12), the differential contact means (22) further comprising a support (32) for supporting the fixed contact pad (26) and a support pad (34) on the contact strand (28) of the endless belt (30), the means (24) for adjusting the support force of the differential contact means (22) acting on the support support (32), in which the pneumatic means (36) comprise first (40) and second (42) pneumatic cylinders respectively comprising first (40P) and second (42P) pistons connected respectively by first (44) and second (46) means for transmitting movement to first (32A) and second (32B) ends of the support support (32), these first (32A) and second (32B) ends of the support support (32) being spaced apart from each other in the direction of travel of the contact strand (28) of the belt (30) so as to allow a position of the support support (32) inclined around an axis substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the contact strand (28) of the moving strip (30).

2. Device (10) for screwing according to the preceding claim, in which the first (44) and second (46) movement transmission means respectively comprise first (48) and second (50) shafts, with axes substantially orthogonal to the direction of travel of the contact strand (28) of the movable strip (30), intended to be driven respectively by the first (40P) and second (42P) pistons and connected respectively to the first (32A) and second (32B) ends of the support support (32) by cranks (56, 58) provided with ends articulated on the support support (32) so as to allow a variation in spacing between the articulated ends of the cranks (56, 58).

3. Device (10) for screwing according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in which the pneumatic means (36) are of the air type.

4. Device for capping an edge (14) of an access opening of a packaging body (16), characterized in that it comprises a device for screwing a capsule (12) onto the opening edge (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and further comprises a conveying device (18) intended to convey, firstly, the packaging body (16) to a docking zone of the capsule (12) with the opening edge (14), then, the assembly of the packaging body (16) and the capsule (14) which has been docked on the latter, to the device (10) for screwing this capsule (12).

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