Cap cutting device

Abstract

A cutting device for forming a weakened line of a tamper-evident device in a plastic cap for closing a container is disclosed, comprising: a feeding means for feeding the cap along a feed path; a blade disposed in the feed path for forming the weakened line; at least one adjacent wall against which the cap can roll; and a micrometric screw configured to adjust the corresponding position of the blade relative to the adjacent wall, thereby allowing the blade to be advanced down the cap feed path independently of the adjacent wall, thereby compensating for wear on the blade.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for cutting caps, in particular plastic caps for closing containers. [Background technology]

[0002] In particular, although not exclusively, the device in question may be advantageously used to form a line of weakness or preferential breakage in a tamper-evident device in a cap for closing a container.

[0003] Cutting devices are known for forming lines of weakness in tamper-proof devices of caps, as shown for example in US 2012 / 0285302 and US 7673543. WO 2004 / 110711, US 5809860 and US 2007 / 089587 disclose devices similar to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] One of the disadvantages of the known types of devices is the wear of the blades, with various negative consequences, such as a gradual decrease in cutting efficiency, the risk of generating vibrations during the operation of the device, undesirable and uncontrolled changes in the morphological characteristics of the weakened line, the need to regularly replace the blades and a relatively short operating life of the blades.

[0005] Another disadvantage is that the blades of the cutting device generally must be replaced when the size of the cap is changed in order to adapt the blades to the different operating conditions associated with the new size. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Publication No. 2012 / 0285302 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 7,673,543 [Patent Document 3] International Patent Publication No. 2004 / 110711 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 5,809,860 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Publication No. 2007 / 089587 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cutting device that can overcome one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0008] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an alternative solution to the problem of manufacturing a cutting tool suitable for forming a line of weakness in a cap for closing a container.

[0009] One advantage is the ease and practicality of varying the cutting configuration, particularly by adjusting the position of the blade cutting edges relative to the cap feed path.

[0010] One of the advantages is that wear on the blade forming weakened lines can be compensated for simply and practically.

[0011] One advantage is the ability to change cap sizes without replacing blades by simply and quickly adapting the blades to different operating conditions linked to the new cap size.

[0012] One advantage is that it makes it possible to use cutting devices which are structurally simple and inexpensive.

[0013] One of the advantages is that a cutting device is provided in which the rolling of the cap by contact with the adjacent part is particularly effective, in particular due to the fact that the wear of the blade is compensated independently of the adjustment of the relative position between the cap and the adjacent part which affects the rolling of the cap.

[0014] One advantage is to produce a cutting device having a blade that has a relatively long operational life.

[0015] One advantage is that it allows practical and effective adjustment of at least one feature, in particular a geometric feature, of the preferential breaking bridge defining the line of weakness of the tamper-evident device of the container closure cap.

[0016] These objects and advantages, as well as other objects, are achieved by a cutting device as claimed in one or more of the following claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] In one embodiment, a cutting device suitable for forming a weakened line of an anti-tamper device in a cap comprises a feeding means for feeding capsules along a feeding path, a blade extending along said feeding path to form the weakened line, an abutment means along which the cap can roll, and an adjustment means configured to adjust the position of the blade relative to the abutment means.

[0018] In particular, the cutting device can be used to adjust the position of the blade independently of the position of the adjacent means, for example to compensate for blade wear.

[0019] In particular, the cutting device can be used to carry out an adjustment of the corresponding position between the blade and the feed path of the caps independently of a possible adjustment of the corresponding position between the abutment means and the feed path of the caps. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] The invention can be better understood and put into practice with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments thereof.

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a cutting device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial bottom view of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 4 with certain parts removed to better show other parts. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blade of the cutting unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cutting device of FIG. 1 showing a second adjustment device for adjusting the position of the cutting unit; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] With reference to the attached drawings, a cutting device is shown as a whole. The cutting device 1 can be used in particular for cutting caps T. The cutting device 1 can be used, for example, for cutting caps T made of plastic. The cutting device 1 can be used in particular for cutting caps T for closing containers. The cutting device 1 can be used, for example, for forming a weakened line or a preferential breaking line in an anti-tamper device for caps T for closing containers.

[0023] The cutting device 1 may in particular comprise a feed channel along which the caps T are fed along a feed direction F. In particular, the feed channel may, as in the present embodiment, lie in a feed plane, for example a horizontal feed plane.

[0024] The cutting device 1 may in particular comprise a feed means 2 arranged to feed the capsules T along a feed path. The feed means 2 may in particular comprise a spindle-holding carousel rotating about a vertical axis of rotation.

[0025] Each supply means 2 may in particular comprise a number of spindles 3 configured to rotate (about an axis of rotation parallel to that of the carousel) under motor drive command to rotate and engage the caps T to cut the weakened line along the periphery of their side walls. The spindles 3 may be arranged on a rotating spindle-holding carousel or may be angularly spaced apart from one another on the carousel.

[0026] The feed path of the capsules T may be defined at least in part by a circular path performed by the spindle 3 on which the rotating carousel engages the caps T.

[0027] The supply means 2 of the capsules T may in particular comprise supply means of known type not disclosed in detail here.

[0028] The cutting device 1 may in particular comprise a cutting unit 4 configured to form a line of weakness in the caps T supplied by the supply means 2 along the supply path.

[0029] The cutting unit 4 may in particular comprise at least one blade 5 extending along the feed path. The blade 5 may in particular comprise a cutting edge 6 at its cutting surface. The blade 5 may in particular consist of a relatively thin metal sheet having two dimensions (width and length) significantly greater than a third dimension (thickness) of said cutting surface.

[0030] The blade 5 may be configured to form a line of weakness with a circumferential extent, or at least a partial circumferential extent, due in particular to the fact that the cap T to be fed rotates. The blade 5 may be configured to form a line of weakness defined by a plurality of facilitated breaking bridges angularly spaced apart from one another. The blade 5 may comprise at least one discontinuous cutting edge 6, in particular due to the presence of a plurality of spaces or recesses 7.

[0031] The blade 5 may in particular comprise at least one cutting edge 6 formed in an arc (eg in a cutting plane parallel to the plane of the feed path of the cap T).

[0032] The feed path of the capsules T may in particular comprise at least a part of a path arranged adjacent to and parallel to the cutting edge 6 and formed as a circular area.

[0033] The cutting unit 4 may in particular comprise abutment means 8 arranged for contact and interaction with the cap T. The abutment means 8 is arranged for cooperation with the blade 5 for cutting the cap T. The abutment means 8 may in particular be arranged laterally parallel to the blade 5.

[0034] The supply means 2 and the cutting unit 4 may in particular be configured such that when the cap T is supplied to the cutting unit 4 by the supply means 2, the blade 5 can roll over the adjacent means 8 whilst making an (at least partially circumferential) cut in the side wall of the cap T to form a line of weakness.

[0035] The adjoining means 8 may in particular comprise at least one adjoining wall, for example of cylindrical shape (although other embodiments can be provided in which the adjoining wall has a certain conicity, in particular a conicity of up to about 5°), arranged adjacent to part of the (at least partially circular) feed path of the capsule T proceeding in the feed direction F and rolling through the adjoining means 8.

[0036] The abutment means 8 may in particular comprise at least one or at least two abutment walls arranged to interact in rolling contact with the (knurled or smooth) side wall of the cap T.

[0037] The abutment means 8 may in particular comprise at least one knurled or indented abutment wall 9 to facilitate engagement with the cap T and the resulting rolling of the cap. The knurled or indented abutment wall 9 may in particular be intended to engage with knurls or notches on the side wall of the cap T to facilitate rolling of the cap (which is rotated by a corresponding spindle 3 of the spindle-holding carousel). It should be noted that the knurled or indented abutment wall 9 may also be located below the blade 5, as in this embodiment.

[0038] The abutment means 8 may in particular comprise at least two abutment walls 9 and 10 arranged on two opposing sides of the blade, for example an abutment wall 9 below the blade 5 and an abutment wall 10 above the blade 5. In a specific embodiment, the abutment means 8 comprises a knurled or indented abutment wall 9 arranged below the blade 5 and a smooth (not knurled or indented) abutment wall 10 arranged above the blade 5. The two abutment walls 9, 10 are arranged in two parts (plate-like parts) of the cutting unit 4 formed substantially in a plate shape. The thin blade 5 is at least partially inserted between the two plate-like parts.

[0039] The cutting unit 4 may in particular comprise first (stationary) support means 11 fixed to a base frame 12 of the cutting device 1 .

[0040] The cutting unit 4 may in particular comprise second (movable) support means 13 which are movable and positionably adjustable with respect to the first support means 11. The second support means 13 is adapted to support the abutment means 8 and the blade 5.

[0041] The first (stationary) support means 11 may in particular comprise a support frame with guide means 14 arranged to guide the movement of the cursor means 15 of the second support means 13. The guide means 14 may in particular comprise at least one sliding guide (e.g. linear). The cursor means 15 may in particular comprise at least one slide slidably coupled to the sliding guide. The abutment means 8 may in particular be coupled to the cursor means 15 by bushing means 16 (e.g. two bushings) coupled to each pin means 17 (e.g. a pin for each bushing). Thus, the pin means 17 are attached to the cursor means 15 and the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 attached to the second support means 13 can move in blocks sliding the guide means 14.

[0042] The cutting device 1 may comprise a first adjustment device 18, in particular configured to adjust the corresponding position of the blade 5 relative to the abutment means 8. The first adjustment device 18 may be configured to adjust the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 in particular in a blade adjustment direction R, which may be parallel to the cutting plane. The position of the blade 5, which in this specific embodiment is sheet-like, may be adjusted in the adjustment direction R by a movement, i.e. a sliding, parallel to the sheet itself, between two parts of a plate-like cutting unit, which are arranged successively on two opposite sides of the blade 5 and on which two abutment walls 9, 10 are arranged.

[0043] The first adjustment device 18 may in particular comprise a movement device with, for example, a micrometric screw (in a specific manually driven embodiment) that allows fine and precise adjustment of the movement of the cutting edge 6, in particular the forward movement of the cutting edge 6 (in the blade adjustment direction R) relative to the path of the cap T.

[0044] The first adjustment device 18 may be configured to adjust the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 in a blade adjustment direction R which may intersect a straight line tangent to the cutting edge 6 at a midpoint of the length of the cutting edge 6, in particular at the central point.

[0045] The first adjustment device 18 may in particular be configured to move the blade 5 either to the adjacent means 8 or to the supply means 2 (as in the specific embodiment), or may be configured to move the adjacent means 8 either to the blade 5 or to the supply means 2 (as in other embodiments not shown).

[0046] The cutting device 1 may, in an embodiment not shown, comprise first drive means for driving the first adjustment device 18 .

[0047] The cutting device 1 may comprise programmable electronic control means configured to control the first drive means, in particular to adjust the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8. The programmable electronic control means may be configured to control the first drive means, in particular by means of a feedback control system, for example based on measurements of vibrations occurring during the operation of at least one part of the cutting device 1. The programmable electronic control means may be configured to control the first drive means, in particular based on the operating life of the cutting device 1 (with a wear compensation logic of the blade 5 based on programmed corrections) and / or based on the cap T to be processed (for example based on at least one dimension of the cap T and / or based on the material of the cap T) and / or based on historical or empirical data regarding the operation of the cutting device 1. The desired characteristics of the line of weakness to be formed (for example the shape and / or at least one dimension of the facilitating breaking bridge defining the line of weakness, so as to form selectively strong or weak, long or short bridges) and / or based on the force measured on a sample cap (cap opening torque), for example required to break the line of weakness after it has been formed by the cutting device 1.

[0048] The cutting device 1 may in particular comprise a second adjustment device 19 configured to adjust the position of the cutting unit 4 (in particular at least a part of the cutting unit 4 including both the blade 5 and the abutment means 8) relative to the supply means 2.

[0049] The second adjustment device 19 may be configured to adjust the corresponding position between the cutting unit 4 and the supply means 2, in particular in an adjustment direction G of the unit parallel to the supply plane of the caps T. The second adjustment device 19 may in particular comprise an adjustment spacer 20, which is interposed between the cursor means 15 (slide) and at least one fixed abutment element arranged on the first (stationary) support means 11.

[0050] The cutting device 1 may, in an embodiment not shown, comprise second drive means for driving the second adjustment device 19 .

[0051] The cutting device 1 may comprise programmable electronic control means configured for controlling the second drive means (so as to adjust the corresponding position between the cutting unit 4 and the supply means 2), in particular based on measurements of vibrations occurring during operation of at least part of the cutting device 1 and / or based on the operational life of the cutting device 1, based on the type of cap to be machined (e.g. at least one dimension of the cap and / or the material of the cap) and / or based on determined desired (morphological) characteristics of the line of weakness to be formed (e.g. the shape and / or at least one dimension of the facilitated fracture bridge defining the line of weakness).

[0052] By "advancing" we mean, for example, approaching the cap T of the feed path in order to increase the cutting depth, but adjusting the cutting device 1 may also comprise an operation of changing the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the adjacent means 8, in particular by advancing the blade 5 relative to the adjacent means 8.

[0053] The corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 can be changed, for example, to compensate for wear that may occur on the cutting edge 6 of the blade 5 and / or to modify the desired parameters of the weakened line that has to be formed and / or to adapt the cutting device 1 to new cap sizes.

[0054] The corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 can be varied, as in this embodiment, by moving the blade 5 (in particular in a forward movement, in particular in a movement controlled by a moving device with a micrometer screw) and keeping the abutment means 8 stationary. In this movement, the blade 5, which may be in the form of a wide flat sheet as in this embodiment, may be inserted and slid between plate-like parts carrying the abutment walls 9 and 10. In another embodiment, not shown, it is possible to vary the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 by moving the abutment means 8 (in particular in a backward movement) and keeping the blade 5 stationary.

[0055] The adjustment of the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the abutment means 8 may be driven, in particular by using a first adjustment device 18, either manually (by a moving device, in particular a micrometric screw), as in the illustrated embodiment, or by motor drive (not shown, e.g. by a rotor driving a moving device, in particular a micrometric screw), e.g. automatically, controlled by programmable electronic control means.

[0056] The adjustment of the corresponding position between the blade 5 and the adjoining means 8 may be combined with an adjustment of the cutting unit 4 relative to the supply path of the capsules T supplied by the supply means 2, more precisely an adjustment of a set or block comprising at least the blade 5 and the adjoining means 8. In a specific embodiment, the blade 5 and the adjoining means 8 are carried by a cursor means 15 (slide), the movement of which is controlled by a second adjustment device 19.

[0057] In this way, the cutting device 1 allows both adjustment of the overall position of the cutting unit 4 (blade 5 and abutment means 8 ) and independent adjustment of the blade 5 relative to the abutment means 8 .

Claims

1. a supply path through which the caps (T) are supplied in a supply direction (F); a supply means (2) configured to supply caps (T) along said supply path; a cutting unit (4) configured to form a weakened line in the caps (T) fed along said feed path; Equipped with The cutting unit (4) comprises: At least one blade (5) extending along said feed path; an abutment means (8) arranged parallel to said blade (5); Equipped with said feeding means (2) and said cutting unit (4) being configured such that a cap (T) fed to said cutting unit (4) can roll over said abutment means (8) while said blade (5) makes a cut in a side wall of the cap (T), a first adjustment device (18) configured to adjust the relative position of the blade (5) with respect to the abutment means (8) by moving the blade (5) and keeping the abutment means (8) stationary or by moving the abutment means (8) and keeping the blade (5) stationary; and first motor means for driving said first adjustment device (18), A cap cutting apparatus comprising a programmable electronic control means configured to control said first motor means based at least in part on measurements indicative of vibrations generated, and / or on operating life, and / or on the type of capsule being processed, and / or on the desired characteristics of the weakened line being formed.

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the blade (5) has a cutting edge (6) located in a cutting plane, and the first adjustment device (18) adjusts the relative position between the blade (5) and the abutment means (8) in a blade adjustment direction (R) parallel to the cutting plane.

3. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the blade adjustment direction (R) intersects a line tangent to the cutting edge (6) at the midpoint of its length.

4. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first adjustment device (18) is configured to move the blade (5) towards the abutment means (8) and towards the supply means (2).

5. 5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a second adjustment device (19) arranged to adjust the position of the cutting unit (4) relative to the supply means (2).

6. 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the feed path lies in a feed plane parallel to a feed plane, in particular a cutting plane in which the cutting edge (6) of the blade (5) lies, and the second adjusting device (19) adjusts the relative position between the cutting unit (4) and the feed means (2) in a series of adjustment directions (G) parallel to the feed plane.

7. a second motor means for driving said second adjusting device (19); 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, comprising programmable electronic control means arranged to control the second motor means based on vibration measurements, and / or on the operational lifetime, and / or on the type of capsule being processed, and / or on the desired characteristics of the weakened line to be formed.

8. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first adjustment device (18) consists of a micrometric screw.

9. 9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the abutment means (8) comprises at least two abutment walls (9, 10) arranged on two opposing sides of the blade (5), said abutment walls (9, 10) being arranged to interact in rolling contact with a cap (T).

10. 10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the blade (5) comprises at least one cutting edge (6) having an arcuate shape, and the feed path comprises at least one path portion which is circular and adjacent to the cutting edge (6).

11. 11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the abutment means (8) comprises at least one abutment wall (9) which is knurled or indented to facilitate rolling of the cap (T).

12. A method for adjusting a cap cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: This involves varying the relative position between the blade (5) and the abutment means (8), The blade (5) serves to cut the cap (T) to form the weakened line, while rolling the cap over the abutment means (8) during the cutting.

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