Cap mounting system for packaging machine and packaging machine
The cap mounting system addresses complexity and cost issues by using a single closed-loop rail with onboard power, reducing components and enhancing flexibility and reliability for cap attachment on pourable food packages.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing cap mounting systems for pourable food products are complex, require numerous components, and lack flexibility and reliability, making them costly and difficult to maintain.
A cap mounting system utilizing an onboard power configuration with a single closed-loop rail and independently movable carts powered by a separate power supply station, eliminating the need for additional tracks and lever mechanisms, and enabling flexible adjustment of cap positioning and adhesive application.
The system reduces component count, enhances reliability, simplifies maintenance, and improves flexibility in adapting to different package and cap formats while maintaining efficient cap attachment.
Smart Images
Figure 2026524684000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0007] ,
[0001] The present invention relates to a cap - mounting system for mounting a cap on a package containing a pour - able product, preferably a pour - able food product.
[0002] In particular, without loss of generality, the present invention refers to a cap - mounting system for a packaging line configured to manufacture the package containing the pour - able product.
Background Art
[0003] As is well - known, many pour - able foods such as fruit juice, UHT (Ultra - High - Temperature - Treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc. are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging materials.
[0004] As a typical example, a rectangular - parallelepiped - shaped package for pour - able foods known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark) can be mentioned. This is manufactured by folding and sealing a laminated web of packaging material. The packaging material has a multi - layer structure in which both sides of a base layer made of, for example, paper are covered with layers of a heat - sealable plastic material such as polyethylene.
[0005] In the case of aseptic packaging for long - term - storage products such as UHT milk, the packaging material further includes a layer of an oxygen - barrier material such as an aluminum foil, which is laid on top of a layer of a heat - sealable plastic material, and is further covered with another layer of a heat - sealable plastic material that forms the inner surface of the package that finally contacts the food.
[0006] This type of package is usually manufactured on a fully - automated packaging line equipped with a packaging machine for forming and filling the package from the packaging material.
[0007] In particular, as a non-limiting example of a packaging machine, a web of packaging material, initially wound onto a reel, is fed through multiple unwinding rollers to form a continuous tube. The web of packaging material is typically sterilized within the packaging device using a chemical sterilizer, such as hydrogen peroxide, and once sterilization is complete, this sterilizer is removed from the surface of the packaging material, for example, by evaporation due to heating. The thus sterilized web is maintained in a closed, sterile environment and, while being fed out by the aforementioned unwinding rollers, is folded longitudinally and sealed by a known web folding device to form a tube.
[0008] The tubes are typically fed continuously along a first direction, which is a vertical, straight line, filled with sterilized food from above, and then cut after being shaped and sealed along cross-sections that are spaced at equal intervals along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
[0009] To perform molding and sealing operations, known packaging machines include a molding unit that molds the tube to give it an outer shape corresponding to the desired package shape, and a sealing unit that seals the tube with equally spaced cross-sections perpendicular to the tube's feeding direction.
[0010] Generally, the above type of packaging machine is equipped with a pair of alternatingly moving forming and sealing jaws, which are controllable by reciprocating motion in a first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, and interact with the continuous portion of the tube.
[0011] This results in a so-called pillow pack having a longitudinal sealing band, an upper transverse sealing band, and a lower transverse sealing band. The pillow packs are then cut at the cross-sections where they should be separated from each other and sent to the folding unit of the packaging machine for final folding.
[0012] Once the cutting operation is complete, the sealing unit and molding unit move to prepare to grasp the next section of the tube.
[0013] This results in the finished product package.
[0014] Packages with so-called "pre-laminate holes" (PLHs) are known. These holes are essentially holes formed in a substrate layer (e.g., a paper layer) and covered or sealed with an oxygen barrier layer (e.g., an aluminum layer). More specifically, the holes are formed only in the substrate layer, leaving the oxygen barrier layer intact. Therefore, the PLHs are initially closed and sealed, and must be perforated afterward in order to use the product filled inside the package.
[0015] This type of package is equipped with a cap or closure or opening device, which is attached to the PLH to form the cap and / or spout of the package itself. In known configurations, the aforementioned PLH is perforated simultaneously with the initial opening of the cap.
[0016] From the above perspective, known packaging lines also include a capping system for precisely attaching a cap to each PLH of the finished package.
[0017] The aforementioned type of cap mounting system is known from the international patent application publication WO201409275. Such a cap mounting system involves the use of a known type of linear motor.
[0018] Specifically, the cap attachment system includes the following: - An endless track system equipped with individually and selectively excitable solenoids, i.e., induction coils that can be driven by electric current; - Multiple cart members equipped with permanent magnets, slidably connected to a track system, and capable of moving independently of each other on the track system; - A cap receiving station where each cart component receives and grasps a cap; - An adhesive station for applying adhesive to a held cap; - An attachment station that attaches caps, each cart component gripped and bonded, to packages being transported by a conveyor belt.
[0019] Each cart component is equipped with a gripper for receiving and holding the cap.
[0020] The resulting linear motor is configured to independently control the forward movement of the cart members along the track system and through each of the aforementioned stations in a known manner.
[0021] It is understood that the grippers of each cart component must be able to move laterally with respect to the forward direction along the track, or outward perpendicular to that forward direction.
[0022] To enable lateral movement of the gripper, the track system described in International Patent Application Publication WO201409275 includes two infinite loop tracks that are adjacent to each other laterally and extend parallel to each other, with each cart member including a pair of associated carts, each cart being connected to its respective track.
[0023] The carts are connected to each other by a known lever mechanism. According to a known method described in International Patent Application Publication WO201409275, this lever mechanism causes the aforementioned lateral movement of the gripper by the relative movement of a pair of carts along two tracks.
[0024] This has two functions: to allow positional correction by matching the cap's mounting position to the measured PLH position of the corresponding package (in fact, the PLH position may differ slightly from the nominal value within tolerance); and to impart the rotational motion necessary to properly apply the adhesive at the bonding station to the gripper (and thus the cap) through relative movement along the respective tracks of the pair of carts in a known manner.
[0025] For the purpose of generating the orthogonal movement of the gripper, each cart member is provided with a cam follower configured to interact with the cam surface of the cap mounting device in a known manner described in International Patent Application Publication WO201409275. This interaction results in a translational movement in a direction orthogonal to the forward direction along the track, thereby enabling better gripping and mounting of each cap.
[0026] From the above, it is clear that known cap mounting systems require a large number of components and their operation is quite cumbersome and complex.
[0027] Therefore, although effective in terms of structure and function, the Applicant recognizes that known types of cap mounting devices have room for further improvement, particularly with regard to the number of components, flexibility with respect to changes in package and / or cap format, reliability, structure, wear of components, ease of maintenance, and overall cost.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0028] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap mounting system for mounting a cap on a package containing a pourable product, which is designed to meet at least one of the above needs in a simple and low-cost manner.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0029] This object is achieved by the cap mounting device system according to claim 1.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0030] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0031] [Figure 1] It is a schematic side view of the cap mounting system according to the present invention, with a part omitted for clarity. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged schematic side view showing how the cart of the cap mounting system in Figure 1 interacts with the track of the cap mounting system in Figure 1 during the first operating state, with some parts omitted for clarity. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic side view of the cart and truck in their second operating state, with some parts omitted for clarity. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0032] Referring to Figure 1, number 1 as a whole shows a non-limiting example of a capping system for attaching a cap 2 to a package 3 containing a pourable product, preferably pasteurized milk or UHT milk, water, fruit juice, wine, peas, legumes, and other pourable food products.
[0033] In particular, this specification refers, without loss of generality, to a capping device system 1 which constitutes part of a packaging line (which is known and not shown). This packaging line includes a packaging machine configured to produce a number of packages 3 in a known manner.
[0034] As a non-limiting example, and without going into detail in known ways, the packaging machine is configured to form, seal, and fold a package 3 from a tube of packaging material.
[0035] For this purpose, the packaging machine is - A filling device (not shown) for filling a tube with a product that can be poured out; - A molding and sealing device (not shown) for molding and sealing tubes, thereby obtaining multiple pillow packs (the method is well known and will not be described in detail); - A folding device (not shown) for folding the pillow pack and thereby obtaining package 3 (the method is well known and will not be described in detail), It is equipped with.
[0036] Therefore, the packaging machine is configured to start from a tube, form and seal multiple pillow packs containing a dispenseable product, and then fold the pillow packs to obtain the aforementioned formed, sealed, and folded package 3 containing the dispenseable product.
[0037] Preferably, the packaging material has a multilayer structure (not shown), including a layer of fibrous material (e.g., paper), with both sides covered by layers of heat-sealable plastic material (e.g., polyethylene).
[0038] In the case of aseptic packaging 3 for long-term storage products such as UHT milk, the packaging material further includes a gas and light barrier material layer (e.g., aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film), which is superimposed on a heat-sealable plastic material layer and further covered with another heat-sealable plastic material layer. The latter layer forms the inner surface of packaging 3 that ultimately comes into contact with the pourable product.
[0039] Preferably, but without loss of generality, the system 1 is configured to be fitted with a cap 2 made of plastic material.
[0040] Each package 3 contains the type described above in the introduction of this specification, so-called pre-laminate holes (PLHs).
[0041] The cap mounting system 1 is configured to sequentially attach each cap 2 onto each PLH, covering and overlapping the PLHs.
[0042] In one embodiment, each cap 2 can also perform the initial perforation of the oxygen barrier layer of PLH according to a well-known method (not described in detail).
[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, the cap mounting system 1 is configured to receive the package 3 from the folding device.
[0044] As schematically shown in Figure 1, the cap mounting system 1 is substantially, - Endless Track 4; - Multiple carts 5 movably connected to track 4; - Linear motors configured to selectively and independently move carts 5 along track 4, It is equipped with.
[0045] In detail, the linear motor includes multiple individually excitable (electrically energized) solenoids or induction coils arranged along track 4, while each cart 5 includes at least one permanent magnet. The electromagnetic interaction between the coils and the permanent magnets causes the carts 5 to move along track 4. This is a well-known method and will not be described in detail.
[0046] The cap mounting system 1 further includes (see Figure 1) one or more of the following: - A cap dispenser 6 is positioned along track 4, defines a receiving station R, and is configured to supply caps 2 to carts 5 passing through receiving station R; - An adhesive device 7 positioned along the track 4 on the downstream side of the operation of the cap supply device 6, defining an adhesive station G and configured to apply adhesive to the caps 2 transported by each cart 5; and - Along track 4, mounting station A is located downstream of the operation of the bonding device 7, where cart 5 works with package 3 to mount each cap 2 onto package 3.
[0047] Therefore, when in use, the row of package 3 advances the mounting station A.
[0048] More specifically, the cap mounting system 1 includes a conveyor 8 (e.g., a belt conveyor) that extends through mounting station A and is configured to transport packages 3 to mounting station A, thereby enabling the caps to be mounted as described above.
[0049] Based on the above, each cart 5 is configured to periodically receive one cap 2 from the cap supply device 6 at the receiving station R, hold the cap 2 and transport it along the track 4, pass through the bonding station G where the bonding device 7 applies adhesive to the cap 2, and then attach the cap 2 to one package 3 at the mounting station A.
[0050] For this purpose, it is preferable that track 4 extends through the receiving station R, the bonding station G, and the mounting station A.
[0051] After capping, each cart 5 travels the entire length of the endless track 4 and returns to receiving station R to perform the next capping cycle.
[0052] For the sake of brevity, the following will refer to a single cart 5. The structural and functional features described in relation to this apply to each cart 5 of the cap mounting device system 1.
[0053] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the cart 5 includes at least one electrically drivable component 10 and a receiver 11 configured to receive electrical energy and supply power to the component 10.
[0054] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cap mounting system 1 includes a power supply station P arranged along a track 4 and configured to transmit electrical energy.
[0055] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the linear motor is configured to selectively move the cart 5 by passing it through a power supply station P, thereby allowing the receiver 11 to receive electrical energy from the power supply station P and thereby supply power to the component 10.
[0056] In particular, as the cart 5 passes through or moves through the power supply station P, the receiver 11 interacts with the power supply station P (which may, for example, include a suitable transmitter for transmitting electrical energy) to receive electrical energy and thereby supply power to the component 10. For example, the power supply station P may generate an electromagnetic field that can induce an electric current in the receiver 11.
[0057] According to the present invention, the power supply station P is defined to be electrically isolated from the solenoid or induction coil of track 4, and more generally, electrically isolated from and distinct from the linear motor.
[0058] Based on the above, each cart 5 can acquire electrical energy to drive its power-driven components 10 in a relatively simple manner without interfering with the power supply of the cart 5 itself by the linear motor.
[0059] According to a non-limiting embodiment shown in the illustration, the cart 5 comprises a gripping unit 12 configured to periodically grip at least one cap 2, in particular one cap 2, at a receiving station R, to hold the cap 2 while the cart 5 moves along the track 4, and to release the cap 2 at a mounting station A (or optionally after adhesive has been applied to the cap 2 at an adhesive station G).
[0060] According to the present invention, the electrically driven component 10 includes a gripping unit 12.
[0061] In particular, the gripping unit 12 is - A gripper 13 periodically holds each cap 2 between a receiving station R that receives and grasps the cap 2, and a mounting station A that releases the cap 2 and mounts it onto the corresponding package 3; and - An actuator 14 (of a known type and shown only schematically for the purposes of this invention) is used to move the gripper 13 relative to the cart 5 while the cart 5 moves forward along the track 4. It is equipped with.
[0062] The actuator 14 may include an electric motor. The actuator 14 may also include suitable gears and / or transmission means for mechanically connecting to the gripper 13.
[0063] According to the present invention, the receiver 11 is electrically connected to the actuator 14 and is configured to supply power to the actuator 14 with electrical energy received from the power supply station P.
[0064] More specifically, the actuator 14 may be configured to perform the following actions: - Movement of the gripper 13 relative to the cart 5 along a first direction Y parallel to track 4; and / or - Movement of the gripper 13 relative to the cart 5 along a second direction X perpendicular to track 4; and / or - Relative movement of the gripper 13 relative to the cart 5 along a third direction Z that is perpendicular to track 4 and directed outward relative to track 4 itself; and / or - Combined operation of the above operations; and / or - The cap rotates around its own axis.
[0065] More precisely, the first direction Y is defined as being parallel to the entire length of track 4, the second direction X is defined as being perpendicular to track 4 and the first direction Y, and the third direction Z is defined as being perpendicular to track 4 and the first direction Y and the second direction X, and pointing outward relative to track 4 itself.
[0066] According to the present invention, the actuator 14 can be powered by a power supply station P, that is, by a cart 5 passing through the power supply station P, and by a receiver 11 that receives electrical energy from the power supply station P.
[0067] In other words, the cap mounting system 1 according to the present invention realizes an "onboard power" configuration.
[0068] With the above configuration, by utilizing the "onboard power" provided by the power supply station P, the caps 2 can be easily moved to their initial gripping position and to the track 4. This eliminates the need for an additional track 4 and a pair of carts 5 with lever mechanisms for each cap 2 to be gripped and transported, as is the case with systems using state-of-the-art technology.
[0069] Therefore, track 4 is favorably defined by a single closed loop rail, and each cart 5 comprises only a single cart movably connected to the closed loop rail.
[0070] In this way, the positional adjustment of each cap 2 can be easily achieved without requiring a second track 4 or a pair of kinematically linked carts 5, thereby reducing the number of components in system 1, increasing its reliability, and facilitating its maintenance.
[0071] Furthermore, the rotational motion necessary to properly apply adhesive to each cap 2 in the bonding station G is easily provided by the "onboard power" configuration according to the present invention.
[0072] As schematically shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the power supply station P includes a power supply track 15 that extends along at least a portion of the track 4.
[0073] According to the present invention, the cart 5 is configured to move each receiver 11 forward along the power supply track 15 and interact with it to obtain electrical energy.
[0074] In practice, the power supply station P is defined by the power supply track 15.
[0075] Preferably, the power supply track 15 extends at least to the receiving station R and the mounting station A.
[0076] Conveniently, the power supply track 15 also extends to the adhesive station G.
[0077] In this way, cart 5 may receive power from power supply track 15 (i.e., power supply station P) at stations R, G, and A to power components 10, particularly actuator 14, thereby driving the movement of grippers 13 and caps 2 at the stations.
[0078] In other words, it is preferable that the power supply station P has a discontinuous configuration with discontinuous power supply tracks 15 that extend only to stations R, G, and A.
[0079] System 1 can be said to have multiple power supply stations P, i.e., multiple power supply tracks 15, or that the power supply track 15 has multiple sections along track 4.
[0080] In this way, the cart 5 ensures the desired degrees of freedom for the gripper 13 and cap 2 at the receiving station R, bonding station G, and mounting station A, through actuators 14 driven by the power supply track 15. On the other hand, when such degrees of freedom are not needed (for example, between these stations R, G, and A), the power supply track 15 is absent.
[0081] Therefore, it is possible to keep the number of parts and total cost associated with System 1 low.
[0082] Furthermore, System 1 can achieve very high flexibility in positioning the cap supply device 6, adhesive device 7, and mounting station A simply by moving various parts of the power supply track 15 as needed.
[0083] Furthermore, wear is significantly reduced because the number of mechanical contact points between the cam and the cam follower is decreased.
[0084] Furthermore, the flexibility in changing the format of System 1 is greatly improved. Specifically, by appropriately controlling the aforementioned range of motion (for example, using an appropriate control device and within the stroke limits of the actuator 14), the position of the cap 2 can be quickly and easily adjusted to various types of packages 3, and / or the position of the gripper 13 can be adjusted to various types of cap 2.
[0085] Examples of the aforementioned movements that can be driven by System 1 are shown below.
[0086] For example, the actuator 14 may be powered by the receiving station R, and may move the gripper 13 toward the cap supply device 6 to improve the gripping of the cap 2 and / or to adapt to different cap shapes.
[0087] For example, the actuator 14 may be powered by the adhesive station G and drive the rotational motion of the gripper 13, which is a combination of translational motions, thereby providing the rotational motion necessary to apply adhesive to the gripped cap 2.
[0088] For example, the actuator 14 may be powered upstream of the mounting station A and drive the translational and / or rotational motion of the gripper 13, thereby adjusting the position of the cap 2 to adapt to the actual position of the PLH on each package 3.
[0089] For this purpose, the cap mounting system 1 may be positioned upstream of the mounting station A, facing the conveyor 8, and may further include a detector 16 that detects the position of the PLH on each package 3 relative to a reference position.
[0090] Each detection result is provided to the logically corresponding cart 5, and according to the configuration of the present invention, the cart adjusts the position of the cap 2 as appropriate.
[0091] In this regard, it is further noted that the power supply station P is configured to transmit logical information (i.e., control information or control) to each receiver 11 via electrical energy.
[0092] Therefore, each cart 5 is equipped with a control unit (of a known type) configured to receive logical or control information from the power supply station P and control the component 10 accordingly.
[0093] Finally, for example, the actuator 14 may be driven at the mounting station A to securely attach the cap 2 to the package 3 and to provide a pressing motion to the cap 2 to the package 3 in order to improve mounting efficiency, or it may drive the translational motion of the gripper 13.
[0094] Based on the above, the cap attachment system 1 is equipped with multiple power supply stations P, and each station is located at stations R, G, and A, respectively.
[0095] Conveniently, as schematically shown in Figures 2 and 3, the power supply station P is configured to transmit electrical energy to the receiver 11 of each cart 5 via wireless power transmission.
[0096] In fact, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a space is provided between the power supply track 15 and each receiver 11, so there is no physical contact between them.
[0097] This significantly reduces wear caused by non-contact interaction between these two parts.
[0098] Preferably, the power supply track 15 includes a first electrical circuit, and the receiver 11 includes a second electrical circuit. The transmission of electrical energy from the first electrical circuit to the second electrical circuit is carried out by electrical induction, thereby defining wireless transmission (i.e., wireless electrical connection).
[0099] Alternatively, the energized track 15 and the receiver 11 may cooperate by sliding in contact with each other, for example, using conductive brushes. In this case, although wear increases compared to the wireless transmission described above, the transmission of electrical energy may be more efficient and have less loss.
[0100] In one embodiment, the gripper 13 can be controlled by an open configuration for receiving or releasing the cap 2 and a closed configuration for gripping and holding the cap 2.
[0101] Advantageously, the actuator 14 can be configured to control the gripper 13 between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
[0102] In this way, the power supply station P can also provide the control and drive necessary to actively grip and release the cap 2. Therefore, the receiving station R and the mounting station A do not require any further dedicated cam systems.
[0103] According to another embodiment (not shown), the gripping unit 12 is - Vacuum pump (a known type, not shown); - A gripper that periodically holds each cap 2 between a receiving station R and a mounting station A, the gripper having a vacuum port that can be fluidly connected to a vacuum pump to hold the cap 2 by suction, It may be provided.
[0104] Therefore, the receiver 11 may be configured to power the vacuum pump with electrical energy received from the power supply station P.
[0105] Therefore, the "onboard power" configuration of System 1 according to the present invention enables easy, simple, and highly flexible power supply and control to various electrically driven devices and components.
[0106] In this regard, according to another embodiment not shown, each cart 5 includes at least one sensor 17 configured to detect a physical quantity indicating the cap 2 received by the cart 5 or the cart 5 itself. The sensor 17 may be embedded in the frame or body of the cart 5.
[0107] As an example, sensor 17 may be configured to detect one or more of the following: - Position of cap 2 relative to cart 5; - The presence of cap 2 on kart 5; - Standard gripping position of cap 2 by cart 5 (i.e., gripper 13); - Weight of cap 2; - Orientation of cap 2; - Acceleration of Kart 5; - Kart 5 speed
[0108] According to the present invention, the electrically drivable component 10 includes a sensor 17.
[0109] Therefore, the receiver 11 is configured to supply power to the sensor 17 using electrical energy received from the power supply station P, i.e., the power supply track 15.
[0110] For example, while the cart 5 passes through the receiving station R and the associated power supply station P, the sensor 17 is powered (via the receiver 11) to detect the weight or orientation of the received cap 2.
[0111] In this way, a simple and effective power supply to the sensor 17 on the cart 5 can be obtained without interfering with the linear motor and without requiring a complex electrical energy transmission system (such as cables or other complex and / or cumbersome means) that is incompatible with the linear motor.
[0112] Conveniently, the cap mounting system 1 includes a control unit configured to control each cart 5 (individually). The control unit of the cap mounting system 1 may be configured to communicate logically (i.e., electronically) with the control unit of each of the aforementioned carts 5.
[0113] Therefore, wireless communication between such control units can be easily established, allowing the control unit of the cap mounting system 1 to remotely control the operation of the component 10 (i.e., the gripping unit 12 and / or the sensor 17).
[0114] Advantageously, each cart 5 includes an electrical energy storage member (not shown), such as a battery, which is electrically connected to the receiver 11 and component 10 (i.e., actuator 14 and / or sensor 17) and configured to store electrical energy supplied from the receiver 11, particularly for a predetermined time, and to supply the stored electrical energy to the cart 10.
[0115] Since the storage member can supply electrical energy to the component 10 throughout the entire installation cycle, for example, there may be only one power supply station P at the receiving station R.
[0116] In other words, component 10 can be powered only once periodically through the interaction between receiver 11 and a single power supply station P. As a result, further reduced wear and a simpler structure may be obtained.
[0117] From the above description, it is clear how the cap-attaching device system 1 according to the present invention enables a method for attaching a cap 2 to a package 3 containing a dispensable product. This method includes the following steps: - Pass multiple packages 3 through the mounting station A; - Multiple carts 5 are moved along an endless track 4 using linear motors, passing through a receiving station R and a loading station A. Each cart 5 includes at least one electrically driven component 10 and a receiver 11 that receives electrical energy and supplies power to the component 10; - Each cart 5 is used to transport the caps 2 from the receiving station R to the mounting station A; - Selectively move each cart 5 through a power supply station P configured to transmit electrical energy; - Each power supply station P transmits electrical energy to each receiver 11 as each cart 5 passes through the power supply station P; - Power is supplied to component 10 using electrical energy received from power supply station P.
[0118] The advantages of the cap mounting device system 1 according to the present invention are clear from the above description.
[0119] The power supply station P may include a portion of an endless track capable of wireless power transmission. That is, cart 5 passes through a power supply station capable of receiving power.
[0120] In particular, a relatively simple, reliable, flexible, safe, and wear-resistant cap mounting system 1 can be obtained for attaching a cap 2 to a package 3 containing a pourable product.
[0121] In fact, by employing a linear motor and preferably ensuring that the receiver 11 and the power supply track 15 interact with each other with little or no contact, wear is substantially reduced.
[0122] Furthermore, the number of components in System 1 is significantly reduced compared to known systems. To obtain the desired movement of the gripper 13 and cap 2, only a single track 4 and a single cart 5 are needed, rather than a pair of kinematically linked carts.
[0123] Therefore, the maintenance requirements and total costs of System 1 are significantly reduced.
[0124] Furthermore, each cart 5 may be equipped with a sensor 17, and power can be supplied very easily by the "onboard power" configuration of system 1 according to the present invention.
[0125] In addition, this "onboard power" configuration significantly improves the flexibility of System 1 in changing the package and / or cap configuration.
[0126] Obviously, modifications may be made to the cap mounting system 1 described herein, but not in any way that would deviate from the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.
[0127] In particular, each cart 5 may include either the gripping unit 12 or the sensor 17, or both the gripping unit 12 and the sensor 17.
[0128] In other words, the electrically driven component 10 may include one or both of the above, and may be specifically defined as such.
Claims
1. A cap mounting system (1) for attaching a cap (2) to a package (3) containing a dispensable product, wherein the cap mounting system (1) is Endless track (4), A plurality of cart members (5) are movably connected to the endless track (4), and each cart member (5) has at least one electrically drivable component (10) and a receiver (11) configured to receive electrical energy and supply power to the component (10), A linear motor is configured to selectively and independently move each cart member (5) along the endless track (4), and each cart member (5) is configured to periodically receive the caps (2) at a receiving station (R), hold the caps (2) and transport them along the endless track (2), and to attach the caps (2) to one package (3) at an attachment station (A). At least one power supply station (P) is positioned along at least a portion of the endless track (4) and configured to transmit electrical energy, Equipped with, The linear motor is configured to selectively move each cart member (5) through the power supply station (P), and the receiver (11) receives electrical energy from the power supply station (P) and supplies power to the component (10). Cap attachment system (1).
2. The power supply station (P) is configured to transmit electrical energy to the receiver (11) of each cart member (5) by wireless power transmission. The cap mounting system according to claim 1.
3. The power supply station (P) includes a power supply track (15) that extends along at least a portion of the endless track (4), Each cart member (5) is configured to move the receiver (11) along the power supply track (15) and interact with it to receive electrical energy. The cap mounting system according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The power supply station (P) extends at least to the receiving station (R) and / or the mounting station (A), A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The power supply station (P) further extends to the bonding station (G), which is operationally interposed between the receiving station (R) and the mounting station (A). Each cart member (5) is configured to transport the cap (2) to the bonding station (G), where adhesive is applied to the cap (2). A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. Each cart member (5) is equipped with a gripping unit (12) which periodically grips at least one cap (2) at the receiving station (R), holds the cap (2) while the cart member (5) moves along the endless track (15), and releases the cap (2) at the mounting station (A), and the electrically driven component (10) includes the gripping unit (12), A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The gripping unit (12) is Between the receiving station (R) and the mounting station (A), a gripper (13) for periodically holding the cap (2) is provided. During the forward movement of the cart member (5) along the endless track (4), an actuator (14) drives the gripper (13) relative to the cart member (5), Equipped with, The receiver (11) is configured to supply power to the actuator (14) with electrical energy received from the power supply station (P). The cap mounting system according to claim 6.
8. The actuator (14) is The gripper (13) moves relative to the cart member (5) along a first direction (Y) parallel to the endless track (4); and / or, The gripper (13) moves relative to the cart member (5) along a second direction (X, Z) that is transverse or perpendicular to the endless track (14); and / or A combination of the above operations; and / or The rotation of the aforementioned cap (2) around its own axis, Configured to drive, The cap mounting system according to claim 7.
9. The gripper (13) is controllable by an open configuration for receiving or releasing the cap (2) and a closed configuration for gripping and holding the cap (2). The gripping unit (12) includes an actuator (14) configured to control the gripper (13) between the open configuration and the closed configuration. A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 6 to 8.
10. The gripping unit (12) is Vacuum pump and A gripper for periodically holding the cap (2) between the receiving station and the mounting station, wherein the gripper has a vacuum port that can be fluidly connected to the vacuum pump in order to hold the cap (2) by suction, The receiver (11) is configured to supply power to the vacuum pump using electrical energy received from the power supply station (P). The cap mounting system according to claim 6.
11. Each cart member (5) is provided with at least one sensor (17) configured to detect a physical quantity representing the cap (2) received by the cart member (5) or the cart member (5) itself. The electrically drivable component (10) includes the at least one sensor (17), A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. The receiver (11) is configured to supply power to the sensor (17) with electrical energy received from the power supply station (P), The aforementioned sensor (17) is The position of the cap (2) relative to the cart member (5), The presence of the cap (2) on the cart member (5), The predetermined gripping state of the cap (2) by the cart member (5), The weight of the aforementioned cap (2), The orientation of the cap (2), The acceleration of the cart member (5), The speed of the cart member (5), It is configured to detect one or more of the following: The cap mounting system according to claim 11.
13. The endless track (4) is defined by a single closed loop rail, and each cart member (5) includes a single cart movably connected to the closed loop rail. A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
14. Each cart member (5) is electrically connected to the receiver (11) and the component (10), and includes an electrical energy storage member configured to store electrical energy supplied from the receiver (11) and to supply the stored electrical energy to the component (10). A cap mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. A packaging line configured to manufacture a package (3), comprising a packaging machine configured to form, seal and fold a package (3) for containing a dispensable product, and a cap-fitting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the packaging line is configured to receive a folded package and attach a cap (2) thereon.
16. A method of attaching a cap (2) to a package (3) containing a pourable product, The steps include: moving multiple packages (3) forward by passing them through a mounting station (A); The steps include: moving a plurality of cart members (5) along an endless track (4) by a linear motor, passing through a receiving station (R) and a mounting station (A); and each cart member (5) includes at least one electrically drivable component (10) and a receiver (11) that receives electrical energy and drives the component (10). The steps include transporting the caps (2) to their respective mounting stations (A) using the cart member (5), The steps include selectively moving each cart member (5) via a power supply station (P) configured to transmit electrical energy, As each cart member (5) passes through the power supply station (P), the step of transmitting electrical energy to each receiver (11) via the power supply station (P) is performed. The steps include supplying power to the component (10) with electrical energy received from the power supply station (P), A method that includes [a certain feature].