Container sealing apparatus for controlled atmosphere and sealing installation comprising said apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a controlled atmosphere container closing device (8), comprising at least one support (9) arranged to hold a container (2) to be closed and at least one controlled atmosphere source (V, G). It is characterized in that it comprises a capping device (26) arranged to carry a stopper (3) and place it on said container (2) to close it, in that said stopper device (26) and said support (9) are arranged to delimit between them a sealed chamber (39) around said container (2) to be closed, and in that said sealed chamber (39) communicates with said at least one controlled atmosphere source (V, G) via at least one conduit (24) to modify and / or control the air contained in said container (2) before the placement of said stopper (3). Figure for the abstract: Fig 6

Description

Title of the invention: Apparatus for closing containers under controlled atmosphere and closing installation comprising said apparatus technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container closing device under controlled atmosphere, comprising at least one support arranged to accommodate a container to be closed and at least one source of controlled atmosphere.

[0002] The invention also relates to a closing installation comprising at least one work surface and said closing device. Previous technique

[0003] The use of containers, such as bottles, sealed hermetically by screwing or crimping is widespread in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, both for therapeutic treatment, analysis and diagnostic purposes, but also in perfumery and cosmetology, as well as in the food industry.

[0004] It goes without saying that the quality of the closure is of utmost importance to prevent any risk of evaporation and / or contamination of the substances contained in the bottles and / or the surrounding environment, which could have a direct impact on the effectiveness of a therapeutic treatment, the reliability of analytical results, the quality of a perfume, etc. Furthermore, the substances contained in the bottles may be sensitive to oxidation or the surrounding environment, which could reduce or even negate their therapeutic effects, alter their properties, degrade their aromas, etc.

[0005] There is therefore a need to close these containers effectively and permanently, under a controlled atmosphere, for example under vacuum, under inert gas, under pure synthetic air at atmospheric pressure or not.

[0006] One known solution involves closing the bottle in the standard way by crimping and, after crimping, creating a vacuum by piercing the bottle stopper with a needle. In this case, the elastomer of the stopper has the capacity to close the micro-hole left by the needle. This invasive solution is not permanent. The shelf life of the vacuum-sealed bottles is limited to a few months, three months at most, because loss of vacuum is inevitable. Some manufacturers have proposed closing the micro-hole by welding it with a laser beam. However, the laser beam degrades the stopper material, which releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to both the environment and the substances contained in the bottles.

[0007] Another known but rarely used solution involves placing a standard crimping tool in a chamber under vacuum or inert gas, containing the container and the cap and / or closure to be crimped. This solution is particularly expensive, not economically viable, and complex to implement. It requires a high-capacity vacuum pump capable of creating a vacuum in the chamber's interior volume, i.e., a minimum volume of 1 m³, each time the chamber is opened to crimp a new bottle. Consequently, the cycle time required to crimp a bottle is particularly long. Furthermore, this solution requires control of the operations that must be performed within the chamber's interior volume. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a new container sealing device design that guarantees a long-lasting, precise, and reproducible airtight seal of said containers under a controlled atmosphere, in an ultra-short cycle time, on the order of a few seconds, by minimizing the volume in which the atmosphere must be controlled, for example, a volume less than 10 ml, equivalent to 10 cm³. The present invention also aims to provide a sealing device capable of performing multiple tasks automatically to reduce cycle time and increase the quality and reproducibility of the seal.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a container closing device of the type indicated in the preamble, characterized in that it comprises a capping device arranged to carry a stopper and to place said stopper on said container to close it, in that said capping device and said support are arranged to delimit between them a sealed chamber around said container to be closed, and in that said sealed chamber communicates with said at least one source of controlled atmosphere to modify and / or control the air contained in said container before the placement of said stopper.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said support comprises at least one housing arranged to hold said container in a vertical position, a peripheral zone extending around said housing, and a conduit opening into said peripheral zone near said housing, said conduit being connected to said at least one source of controlled atmosphere, thus making it possible to minimize the volume of the sealed chamber and to require a very small capacity, inexpensive and compact vacuum pump.

[0011] Said support may comprise two independent conduits, opening respectively into said peripheral zone near said dwelling, and connected res respectively to two controlled atmosphere sources chosen from the group of a vacuum source and an inert gas source.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, said capping device comprises a gripping member arranged to grasp said stopper, a bell disposed around said gripping member, and a sealing member extending over the peripheral edge of the lower opening of said bell, arranged to come into contact with the peripheral area of ​​said support, so that said bell covers said container and forms with the peripheral area of ​​said support said sealed chamber.

[0013] Preferably, said capping device comprises an actuator coupled to said gripping member and arranged to move it relative to said bell between at least a high position in which the capping is kept away from said container and a low position in which the capping is placed on said container to close it.

[0014] The closure device according to the invention may further comprise a device for locking the closure onto said container, including a locking head coupled to an actuator arranged to, in an active position, lock the closure onto said container. Said locking device may be selected from the group comprising a crimping device, a screwing device, and a clipping device.

[0015] The closing device may advantageously include a tool holder on which said capping device and said locking device are mounted. In this case, said tool holder is movable relative to said support between at least one capping position in which said capping device is aligned with the housing of said support, and a locking position in which said locking device is aligned with the housing of said support.

[0016] It may also include a robotic arm at the end of which is mounted said tool holder, arranged to move said tool holder between at least said plugging position and said closing position.

[0017] According to the variants of the invention, said tool holder may include additional equipment selected from the group comprising a gripping claw arranged to grasp a container and place it in the housing of said support, a filling device arranged to add content into said container, this content being able to be solid, powder or liquid.

[0018] For this purpose also, the invention relates to a container closing installation, characterized in that it comprises a closing device as defined above, and in that said robotic arm and said support are fixed on said work surface.

[0019] It may further comprise at least one shutter magazine and / or a holder of containers fixed to said work surface. Said cap magazine may include at least one parts dispenser arranged to position a cap in a gripping zone, and said container rack may include a multi-compartment rack.

[0020] Advantageously, said closing installation includes a control unit equipped with a screen and a computer program, arranged to control the equipment of said installation comprising at least the robotic arm, the tool holder, the capping device, the capping gripping member, the closing device, the closing head, the controlled atmosphere source. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The present invention and its advantages will become more apparent from the following description of several embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a container closing installation according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.2] is a top view of the installation of [Fig.1],

[0024] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the closing device provided in the installation of the [Fig.1], in the plugging position,

[0025] [Fig.4] is a side perspective view of the support provided in the installation of the [Fig.l],

[0026] [Fig.5] is a top perspective view of the support of [Fig.5], and

[0027] [Fig.6] is an axial cross-sectional view of the support and the plugging device showing a sealed chamber around a container to be closed. Description of the implementation methods

[0028] In the illustrated embodiments, identical elements or parts bear the same reference numbers. Furthermore, terms with a relative meaning, such as vertical, horizontal, right, left, front, back, above, below, etc., should be interpreted under normal conditions of use of the invention, as shown in the figures. The X, Y, and Z axes are defined by an orthonormal coordinate system illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Moreover, the geometric positions indicated in the description and claims, such as "perpendicular," "parallel," and "symmetrical," are not limited to the strict geometric sense but extend to geometric positions that are close, i.e., that allow a certain tolerance within the technical field considered, without affecting the result obtained.This tolerance is notably introduced by the adverb "sensible", without this term necessarily being repeated before each adjective.

[0029] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the container closing installation 1 according to the invention is intended to seal tightly and under a controlled atmosphere Containers 2 are sealed by a closure 3, as shown in [Fig. 6]. "Container" includes, but is not limited to, bottles, tubes, test tubes, vials, cartridges, and similar items. "Closure" includes, but is not limited to, crimping, screwing, snap-on closures, or similar closures. "Controlled atmosphere" includes, but is not limited to, clean atmospheric pressure (cleanroom type), vacuum, inert gas, or similar conditions. "Closure" includes, but is not limited to, a tight-fitting stopper or flat gasket used with a crimp, snap-on, or screw-on cap; a pre-assembled cap and stopper; a screw-on cap with a sealing gasket; a flip-off cap; a perfume pump; or similar closures.

[0030] The enclosure 1, as illustrated, is in the form of an enclosed booth 4 delimiting a clean work zone ZT, the temperature of which may or may not be regulated, the air of which may or may not be filtered, and the contents of which may or may not be sterilized. The booth 4 comprises a lower part 5 and an upper part 6, separated from each other by a work surface 7 belonging to the work zone ZT, and on which are fixed, in the example shown: - a closing device 8, - a support 9, - two container racks, 10 - two shutter magazines 11, these different pieces of equipment being described later.

[0031] Of course, the closing installation 1 can take the form of something completely different, for example in the form of a work surface or bench only, without a physical cabin, with or without an immaterial safety barrier, or conversely in a cleanroom or a pharmaceutical isolator, without these examples being limiting.

[0032] The upper part 6 of the cabin is glazed and accessible via a door 12, the closure of which can be controlled by sensors 43 to ensure the safety of the work area ZT. It is complemented by a control unit 13 equipped with a screen 14, fixed to a post of the cabin 4 so that it can pivot relative to the cabin. It also includes a signal column 15 at the top of the cabin 4 to emit visual and / or audible signals according to work cycles and any alarms. The lower part 5 of the cabin is enclosed and includes mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and other (not visible) equipment necessary for the operation of the installation, as well as one or more sources of controlled atmosphere (synthetic air cylinder at atmospheric or non-atmospheric pressure, vacuum pump, and / or cylinder of inert or non-inert gas, such as nitrogen, helium, argon, or similar), or connections to these sources if they are external.Of course, installation 1 of . The closure system illustrated and its equipment are not limited to the example described but are variable and adaptable to different needs. Thus, depending on its equipment, installation 1 can be used to perform closing cycles both manually and automatically, in whole or in part. The control unit 13 can then include a computer program designed to operate the installation's equipment according to the selected operating mode, perform the required quality checks, and ensure traceability of the tasks carried out.

[0033] The container racks 10 may include a first rack for containers to be closed and a second rack for closed containers. They may consist of multi-compartment racks, in which the containers are stored in a vertical position. The number and / or type of racks 10 may vary depending on the needs, the size, and the type of containers 2.

[0034] The shutter magazines 11 may include a first magazine for airtight caps and a second magazine for crimp caps. Each magazine includes a vibrating bowl for orienting, separating, and conveying the parts for distribution one after the other, positioning them in a gripping zone accessible by a robotic arm or similar device. The number and / or type of magazines 11 may vary depending on the requirements, format, and type of shutters 3. The various magazines that can equip the closure installation 1 according to the invention will not be described in detail, as they are commercially available and well-known equipment.In particular, the outlet of the vibratory bowls of the shutter magazines 11 is equipped with a dissociation system allowing the supply flow to be regulated and the parts to be presented one by one, the parts being able to be caps, capsules, or any other shutter or shutter element in accordance with the aforementioned list.

[0035] The closing device 8 according to the invention comprises, in the illustrated example, a robotic arm 16 at the end of which is mounted a tool holder 17 detailed later. The robotic arm 16 may be a multi-axis robot, the characteristics of which are chosen according to the tasks to be performed. For example, it may be a 6-axis robot for cleanrooms, although this example is not limiting. The advantage of a multi-axis robot lies in its modularity and flexibility. Furthermore, the movements of the robotic arm 16 are fast, precise, and smooth. It can thus be used to perform the entire chain of necessary actions.

[0036] The support 9, illustrated in more detail in Figures 4 and 5, has a frustoconical body 18 standing vertically on the work surface 7, supported by a base 19 intended to be fixed to said work surface 7 by means of screws 20 or similar. The frustoconical shape of the support 9 is not limiting and any other suitable shape may be used. The support 9 has at its apex a housing 21 with axis A parallel to the Z-axis of the orthonormal coordinate system, which may or may not coincide with the axis of revolution. of the support 9. This axis A can serve as a reference axis for positioning the tool holder 17 as explained later. The housing 21 is dimensioned to receive a container 2 in a vertical position, such that the container 2 protrudes from the top of the support 9 and its opening is oriented upwards and unobstructed to allow the insertion and locking of a suitable plug 3. The housing 21 may include a means for locking the container 2 in position relative to the housing 21, for example, a ball screw or similar (not shown), arranged transversely with respect to the axis A in a bore 22 provided in the body 18 of the support 9.

[0037] The housing 21 provided in the support 9 is surrounded by a peripheral zone 23, preferably rectified and flat. The support 9 comprises at least one and, in the illustrated example, two through conduits 24, extending vertically from the base 19 and opening into the peripheral zone 23 near the housing 21. The conduits 24 are independent and each comprises a fitting 25 for connection to a controlled atmosphere source, such as a vacuum source symbolized by arrow V, or a gas source (synthetic air, inert gas, or similar) symbolized by arrow G (in [Fig. 6]). The number of conduits 24 is not limited and is adapted to the needs of modifying the atmosphere in the containers 2 before they are sealed.

[0038] With particular reference to Figures 3 and 6, the closing device 8 comprises a tool holder 17, which may be a single-function or preferably multi-function tool holder. In the illustrated example, the tool holder is multi-function and comprises a capping device 26, a locking device 27, and a gripping claw 28. It may also comprise a filling device (not shown) arranged for adding and metering contents into the container 2, such as a solid, powdered, or liquid substance. It may also comprise sensors, such as a laser sensor 42 and the like, for detecting and / or monitoring and / or measuring operating parameters, such as the presence of a container 2, contents in the container 2, a shutter 3, the height of obstacles in the path of the tools to avoid collisions, etc., the pressure in the sealed chamber, the working zone ZT, etc.The temperature in the work zone ZT, the air quality in the work zone ZT, the sealing of container 2 after closure, the reading of identification labels on containers 2, etc., without these examples being exhaustive. The tool holder 17 can, of course, include any other device or tool stored in tool magazines (not shown) provided in the work zone ZT. Thus, the tool holder 17 can automatically manage the loading and unloading of said tools.

[0039] The tool holder 17 associated with the robotic arm 8 allows for the performance of multiple tasks, such as moving the stoppers 3 and the containers 2 within the work zone ZT, filling the containers 2 with solid, powdered or liquid substances, capping the containers 2 under a controlled atmosphere, and locking the stoppers 3. on the containers 2, quality control of the closure of the containers 2, leak-tightness check of the closed containers 2, control of operating parameters, etc.

[0040] The gripping claw 28 is arranged to grasp a container 2, in particular by the groove 29 located under the neck 30 of the bottle, to automatically move the container 2 from the holder 10 corresponding to the housing 21 of the support 9 in order to perform a closing cycle and vice versa. The gripping claw 28 can be adjusted to adapt to any transverse dimension of the groove 29 provided on the containers 2.

[0041] The capping device 26 and the locking device 27 are arranged on the tool holder 17 opposite each other at 180° to each other. Of course, any other angular arrangement is possible, such as a right angle or any other angle, or even a linear arrangement.In the illustrated example, the tool holder 17 is mobile and rotates around an axis of rotation R at the end of the robotic arm 8 to quickly move from a plugging position, in which the plugging device 26 is aligned with the axis A of the support housing 21, to a locking position, in which the locking device 27 is aligned with the axis A of the support housing 21. In the illustrated example, the plugging and locking positions are therefore separated by an angle of 180°, although this example is not limiting.

[0042] The capping device 26 comprises a hollow body 31, surmounted by an actuator 32, preferably a linear actuator such as a double-acting cylinder connected to a pneumatic circuit by fittings 33, a linear electric motor, or the like. It includes a gripping member 34 linked to the piston 35 of the actuator 32 and guided in axial translation relative to the hollow body 31. The gripping member 34 includes a gripping head 36 designed to grasp a stopper 3 from a corresponding magazine 11 and place it on the container 2 to close it. The gripping head 36 is designed to provide mechanical retention of the stopper 3 with or without suction. The shape of the gripping head 36 is therefore adapted to that of the obturator 3. The hollow body 31 forms a bell 37 around the gripping member 34, and extends over a length greater than the stroke of the actuator 32 to cap a container 2 installed in the support 9, in the closing position.The capping device 26 further includes a sealing member 38, such as a deformable elastomer lip or any other similar sealing member, extending over the peripheral edge of the lower opening of the bell 37 to bear against the peripheral area 23 of the support 9, in the capping position, as shown in more detail in [Fig.6].

[0043] The peripheral zone 23 of the support 9, the bell 37 of the sealing device 26, and its sealing element 38 define between them a small, airtight chamber 39 in which the container 2 to be closed is located. The airtight chamber 39 is therefore adapted to the container 2 to be closed, in order to reduce its volume to a minimum. of air. The bell 37 of the sealing device 26 can be sized according to the dimensions of the container 2 and the stopper 3. It is therefore possible to provide different sizes of bell 37 to cover a wide range of containers 2 and stoppers 3.

[0044] The airtight chamber 39 communicates with the controlled atmosphere source(s) via the conduit(s) 24 provided in the support 9. In the position illustrated in [Fig. 6], the gripping member 34 is in the raised position and the stopper 3 is held away from the container 2. The container 2 is therefore open and communicates with the airtight chamber 39. The air contained in the restricted volume of this airtight chamber 39 can thus be modified via the vacuum, gas, or any other source as required. Pressure sensors (not shown) allow the vacuum level or pressure level of the airtight chamber 39 to be monitored.When the vacuum or pressure threshold is reached, the actuator 32 moves the gripping member 34 from its upper position to a lower position (not shown) in which the stopper 3 is placed on and / or inserted into the neck 30 of the container 2 to seal it airtight. Thanks to the very small volume of the airtight chamber 39, on the order of a few milliliters, the sealing cycle under controlled atmosphere is therefore very fast, on the order of a few seconds. As soon as the stopper 3 is placed on the container 2, the tool holder 17 is actuated and rotated 180° to lock this stopper 3 onto the container 2 via the locking device 27.

[0045] The locking device 27 comprises a locking head 40 (represented by its protective cover) coupled to an actuator 41 arranged to, in an active position, lock the shutter 3 onto the container 2. The locking device 27 is therefore adapted to the locking system of the shutter 3 and may be a crimping, screwing, clipping, or similar device. The actuator 41 is advantageously electrically powered, in accordance with the crimping device described in the applicant's publication EP 1 861 331 B1, suitable for cleanrooms, without this example being limiting.

[0046] If the closure 3 includes a leak-proof stopper (visible in [Fig. 6]), previously deposited by the capping device 26 onto the container 2, then the closure 3 also includes a crimp cap (not shown), which is placed on the stopper and whose rim closes in the groove 29 located under the neck 30 of the container 2. In this case, the locking head 40 is a crimping head which includes jaws (not visible) coupled to the actuator 41 arranged to move them relative to the crimping head between at least one extended position in which the cap is held without constraint, and a compressed position in which the cap is deformed to be crimped onto the container 2. An example of a crimping device is described in particular in the applicant's publication EP 1 861 331 B1. The locking device 27 can thus be controlled to automatically pick up a cap from a corresponding magazine 11, via its crimping head. In addition, the stroke and crimping force can be controlled very precisely to guarantee that the capsule is held without deformation during the gripping and transport phase, then an efficient, precise, uniform and reproducible crimping, by regular deformation of the capsule, generating no degradation of either the capsule or the container 2, and thus guaranteeing the integrity of the closure.

[0047] The figures follow the following nomenclature: 1. Installation 2 Container 3 Shutter 4 Cabins 5 Lower part 6 Upper part 7 Work plan 8 Closing device 9 Support 10 Container rack 11 Shutter Store 12 Door 13 Control Unit 14 Screen 15 Signal column 16 Robotic arm 17 Tool holder 18 Truncated conical body 19 Base 20 Screws 21 Housing 22 Bore 23 Peripheral Zone 24 Conduits 25 Fittings 26. Stoppering device 27 Locking device 28 Grasping claw 29 Gorge 30 Col 31 Hollow bodies 32 Actuator 33 Fittings 34 Grasping organ 35 Piston 36 Gripping head 37 Bell 38 Sealing element 39 Airtight chamber 40 Locking Head 41 Actuator 42 Laser sensor 43 Door Sensors ZT Work Zone XYZ Orthonormal coordinate system A Housing Axis V Empty G Gas R Axis of rotation

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art, within the limits of the appended claims. Furthermore, the technical features of the various embodiments and variants mentioned above may be combined, in whole or in part.

Claims

Demands

1. A closure device (8) for containers (2) under a controlled atmosphere, comprising at least one support (9) arranged to receive a container (2) to be closed and at least one source of controlled atmosphere (V, G), said closure device (8) comprising a sealing device (26) arranged to carry a stopper (3) and to place said stopper (3) on said container (2) to close it, said stopper device (26) and said support (9) being arranged to delimit between them a sealed chamber (39) around said container (2) to be closed, and said sealed chamber (39) communicating with said at least one source of controlled atmosphere (V, G) to modify and / or control the air contained in said container (2) before the placement of said stopper (3), characterized in that said closure device (8) further comprises a locking device (27) for the stopper (3) on said container (2), comprising a locking head (40) coupled to an actuator (41),arranged to, in an active position, lock the closure (3) onto said container (2), and in that said closure device (8) comprises a tool holder (17) on which said capping device (26) and said locking device (27) are mounted, said tool holder (17) being movable relative to said support (9) between at least one capping position in which said capping device (26) is aligned with said support (9), and a locking position in which said locking device (27) is aligned with said support (9).

2. Closure device according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (9) comprises at least one housing (21) arranged to hold said container (3) in a vertical position, a peripheral zone (23) extending around said housing (21), and a conduit (24) opening into said peripheral zone (23) near said housing (21), said conduit (24) being connected to said at least one controlled atmosphere source (V, G).

3. Closing device according to claim 2, characterized in that said support (9) comprises two independent conduits (24), opening respectively into said peripheral zone (23) near said housing (21), and connected respectively to two controlled atmosphere sources chosen from the group of a vacuum source (V) and a gas source (G).

4. A closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said capping device (26) comprises a gripping member (34) arranged to grasp said obturator (3), a bell (37) disposed around said gripping member (34), and a sealing member (38) extending over the peripheral edge of the lower opening of said bell (37) arranged to come into contact with the peripheral area (23) of said support (9), so that said bell (37) covers said container (2) and forms with the peripheral area (23) of said support (9) said sealed chamber (39).

5. A closing device according to claim 4, characterized in that said capping device (26) comprises an actuator (32) coupled to said gripping member (34) and arranged to move it relative to said bell (37) between at least one high position in which the shutter (3) is kept away from said container (2) and a low position in which the shutter (3) is placed on said container (2) to close it.

6. A locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said locking device (27) is selected from the group comprising a crimping device, a screwing device, a clipping device.

7. A closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking head (40) of said locking device (27) is a crimping head comprising jaws coupled to said actuator (41) arranged to move them relative to the crimping head between at least one spread position in which they hold a crimped cap without constraint, and a compressed position in which they deform said cap to crimp it onto said container (2).

8. A closing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a robotic arm (16) at the end of which is mounted said tool holder (17), arranged to move said tool holder (17) between at least said capping position and said closing position.

9. Closing device according to claim 7, characterized in that said tool holder (17) is mobile in rotation about an axis of rotation (R) at the end of said robotic arm (8) to quickly move from said capping position to said closing position.

10. A closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that said tool holder (17) comprises selected additional equipment in the group comprising a gripping claw (28) arranged to grasp a container (2) and place it in the housing (21) of said support, a filling device arranged to add contents into said container (2), sensors (42).

11. A closing installation (1) comprising at least one work surface (7), characterized in that it comprises a closing device (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and in that said robotic arm (16) and said support (9) are fixed on said work surface (7).

12. A closing installation according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises at least one shutter magazine (11) and / or a container rack (10) fixed to said work surface (7).

13. A closing installation according to claim 12, characterized in that said shutter magazine (11) comprises at least one parts dispenser arranged to position a shutter (3) in a gripping zone.

14. Closure installation according to claim 12, characterized in that said container rack (10) comprises at least one multi-shelving rack.

15. A closing installation according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises a control unit (13) provided with a screen (14) and a computer program, arranged to control the equipment of said closing installation (1) comprising at least the robotic arm (16), the tool holder (17), the capping device (26), the gripping member (34) of the shutter, the closing device (27), the closing head (40), the controlled atmosphere source (V, G).

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