Method for sealing a foil cover onto a sealing flange of a can body or a frame for forming a can body

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for sealing a foil cover (9) onto a sealing flange (7) of a can body or a frame (8) for forming a can body. In a first step, a can body or a frame (8), which forms a can wall (13) enclosing the interior of the can body to be formed using the frame as intended, is provided, the can body or frame forming an opening surrounded by a sealing flange (7) in the region of a first end (A). A foil cover (9) made of a sealable foil material is then provided over said opening and on the sealing flange (7) and is sealed onto the sealing flange (7) by applying heat and under the effect of a pressing process such that the opening is tightly closed by the foil cover (9). Before the foil cover (9) is pressed against the sealing flange (7), a supporting tool (11, 12a, 20, 12b) is moved up to the sealing flange (7), the supporting tool providing one or more support surfaces (12a, 12b) for the sealing flange (7) during the process of pressing the foil cover (9) against the sealing flange (7) in order to prevent the sealing flange (7) from yielding under the effect of the pressing force. The method according to the invention makes it possible to ensure the desired sealing seam quality at any time even in the case of sealing flanges (7) extending on one plane and at high production speeds.

Description

[0001] P191882 PC00

[0002] 1

[0003] Method for sealing a foil lid onto a sealing flange of a can body or a frame to form a can body

[0004] Field of invention

[0005] The invention relates to a method for sealing a foil lid onto a sealing flange of a can body or a frame for forming a can body, and to a device for carrying out the method according to the preambles of the independent claims.

[0006] background

[0007] Packaging with tear-off foil lids (so-called Peel Off Ends or POE) is known from many different areas, especially as food packaging.

[0008] Such packaging consists of a one- or multi-part container and a tear-off foil lid, which seals a dispensing opening in the container. The container forms a sealing flange around the dispensing opening, onto which the tear-off foil lid is sealed. In can-shaped packaging, the container is formed by a can body, which consists of a rim and a can bottom. The rim forms a can wall enclosing the interior of the can body, with the sealing flange and tear-off foil lid located at one end and the can bottom at the other. To seal the tear-off foil lid onto the sealing flange, it is pressed onto the flange using heat. This often leads to problems with the seal quality, particularly regarding the seal width, especially with flat sealing flanges and high production speeds. P191882 PC00

[0009] 2

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] The task therefore arises to provide a technical solution that avoids the aforementioned problems.

[0012] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0013] According to this, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for sealing a foil lid onto a sealing flange of a can body or a frame, which is provided for forming a can body by combination with a suitable can bottom.

[0014] In a first step, a preferably cylindrical can body or a preferably cylindrical frame, which forms a can wall enclosing the interior of the can body to be formed with it, is provided. The can body or frame forms a first opening according to the claim in the region of one of its two ends, surrounded by a sealing flange.

[0015] Then, a foil cover made of a sealable foil material is placed over this first opening and on the sealing flange and sealed onto the sealing flange using heat and by pressing the foil cover onto the sealing flange, so that this first opening is tightly closed by the foil cover.

[0016] Before the foil lid is pressed against the sealing flange, a support tool is moved towards or into the can body or frame. This support tool provides one or more support surfaces for the sealing flange during the pressing process, preventing the sealing flange from yielding under the pressure. The sealing flange is thus supported during the sealing process when the foil lid is pressed against the sealing flange. P191882 PC00

[0017] 3 of the same is clamped between the support tool and a sealing tool that applies the pressure force, so that it cannot move out of position.

[0018] In other words, the first aspect of the invention relates to a method for sealing a foil lid onto a sealing flange of a can body or a frame to form a can body, wherein in a first step a can body or frame, which forms a can wall enclosing the interior of the can body to be formed with it, is provided. The can body or frame forms an opening surrounded by a sealing flange in the region of one of its two ends. Then, a foil lid is arranged over this opening and on the sealing flange and sealed onto the sealing flange by applying heat and pressing it down, thereby tightly closing the opening with the foil lid.In this process, before the foil lid is pressed on, when the can body or frame is already in the sealing position, a support tool is arranged on the side of the sealing flange opposite the sealing side, which provides one or more support surfaces for the sealing flange during the pressing of the foil lid onto the sealing flange, to prevent the sealing flange from giving way under the pressing force.

[0019] The inventive method makes it possible to ensure the desired seal seam quality even with flat sealing flanges and high production speeds.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the sealing of the foil lid onto the sealing flange is carried out in several steps, e.g., in two steps (pre-sealing and final sealing), wherein at least in one of the steps, and advantageously in all steps, a support tool is moved towards the sealing flange before the foil lid is pressed against it. P191882 PC00

[0021] 4. This provides one or more support surfaces for the sealing flange during the pressing of the foil lid onto the sealing flange, preventing the sealing flange from yielding under the pressing force. Dividing the sealing process into several steps allows for very high production speeds.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferred that, when pressing the foil lid onto the sealing flange, the support surfaces of the tool extend essentially over the entire circumference of the sealing flange. This ensures the best possible support.

[0023] In a first preferred method embodiment, a frame is provided for forming a can body, in which the sealing flange is radially inward from the can wall. The support tool is inserted into the frame from the second end.

[0024] In an alternative second preferred method variant, a can body or frame is provided in which the sealing flange projects radially outwards beyond the can wall. The can body or frame is then gripped from the outside with a multi-part support tool.

[0025] Advantageously, the can body or frame is transported, preferably incrementally, by a linear transport device to the position where the foil lid is sealed (sealing position). This simplifies the integration of the process into a production line for can packaging and allows for high production speeds.

[0026] In process variants where the sealing flange projects radially outwards beyond the can wall, it is preferred that the support tool has two tool halves with which the can body or the frame is gripped, wherein the tool halves for gripping the can body or the frame are arranged in a P191882 PC00

[0027] 5

[0028] The sealing flange should be moved in a transverse direction, preferably perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device, towards the can body or frame. This allows for excellent support of the sealing flange in a simple manner.

[0029] Preferably, when transporting the can body or frame with the transport device, a positive fit exists in the transport direction between the second end of the can body or frame and the drive elements of the transport device. This offers the advantage of enabling high production speeds, while the position of the can body or frame is precisely defined at all times. Furthermore, the can body or frame remains laterally accessible in this way.

[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the method, the can body or frame is not moved in the position in which the foil lid is sealed during the sealing process. In other words, the position of the can body or frame does not change between being positioned for sealing and the actual sealing process. This ensures stable handling of the can body or frame even at high production speeds.

[0031] In yet another preferred embodiment of the method, in step a) a frame is provided which forms a second opening at its second end, surrounded by a flange projecting radially outwards beyond the can wall. Frames closed on one side with a foil lid can be produced using such methods. These frames can then be filled through the second opening and subsequently closed at their second end with a can bottom by crimping. Such frames closed on one side with a foil lid represent preferred process products. P191882 PC00

[0032] 6

[0033] When sealing, the foil lid is advantageously pressed onto the sealing flange using a preferably heated sealing tool.

[0034] It is also preferred that the support surfaces of the support tool are heated.

[0035] These measures will further optimize the seal quality and the process time.

[0036] If the foil lid is die-cut from a foil strip immediately before sealing, preferably using the sealing tool, then the complex and trouble-prone handling of pre-made foil lids is eliminated.

[0037] The sealing flange is preferably heated in one or more steps before the foil lid is sealed, for which one or more induction coils may be used.

[0038] It has proven advantageous to carry out the heating at one or more positions located upstream of the sealing position in the transport direction. This allows the dwell time in the sealing station to be kept as short as possible and enables high production speeds.

[0039] Particularly preferred are embodiments of the aforementioned method in which the sealing flange is first heated at a position located upstream of the sealing position in the transport direction, the temperature of the sealing flange is then determined at this first position or at a second position located downstream of it in the transport direction, and subsequently the sealing flange is heated again at this second position or at a third position located downstream of it in the transport direction, depending on the previously determined temperature of the sealing flange. This ensures an optimal flange temperature for sealing at all times. P191882 PC00

[0040] 7

[0041] The force with which the foil lid is pressed against the sealing flange during sealing is preferably generated or transmitted by pneumatic actuators. This allows the contact force to be controlled very precisely and kept constant at all times.

[0042] A second aspect of the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0043] The device comprises one or more heating stations for heating the sealing flange at the first end of the can body or frame as claimed, one or more sealing stations for sealing the foil lid onto the sealing flange, and a preferably linear first transport device as claimed for stepwise feeding the can body or frame to the heating and sealing station(s).

[0044] Each sealing station has a sealing tool, preferably a heated one, for pressing the foil lid against the sealing flange of the can body or frame. Furthermore, at least one of the sealing stations, preferably all of them, has a support tool which can be moved towards the sealing flange before the foil lid is pressed against it, such that it provides one or more support surfaces for the sealing flange during the pressing process, preventing the sealing flange from yielding under the pressure.

[0045] With the device according to the invention, it is possible to ensure the desired seal seam quality even with flat sealing flanges and high production speeds.

[0046] It is preferred that the support tool is designed such that the support surfaces of the support tool align themselves when the foil lid is pressed against P191882 PC00

[0047] 8. The sealing flange should extend substantially over its entire circumference. This will ensure the best possible support.

[0048] In a first preferred embodiment of the device, the support tool is designed such that it can be inserted into the frame from the second end of the frame in order to support a sealing flange radially extending inwards from the can wall when sealing the foil lid.

[0049] In an alternative second preferred embodiment of the device, the support tool is multi-part and designed in such a way that it can be used to grip the can body or the frame from the outside in order to support a sealing flange that extends radially outwards from the can wall of the can body or the frame when sealing on the foil lid.

[0050] It is preferred that the support tool has two tool halves with which the frame can be radially gripped, advantageously such that the tool halves can be moved in a direction transverse, in particular perpendicular to the transport direction of the first transport device towards the can body or the frame to grip the frame.

[0051] In another preferred embodiment of the device, the sealing station(s) are designed such that the frame remains stationary in the position in which the foil lid is sealed during the sealing process. In other words, the position of the can body or frame does not change between being positioned for sealing and the actual sealing process. This ensures stable handling of the can body or frame even at high production speeds.

[0052] Furthermore, it is preferred that the sealing station, or in the case of several sealing stations, the one in transport- P191882 PC00

[0053] 9. The first transport device according to the claim has a first sealing station comprising a punching tool by means of which the foil lid to be sealed can be punched out from a foil strip immediately before sealing. This eliminates the need for complex and error-prone handling of pre-made foil lids.

[0054] It is advantageous if the punching tool and the sealing tool are designed as a single unit.

[0055] In yet another preferred embodiment, the device has a first heating station and a second heating station, with which the sealing flange of the can body or frame can be heated first in the first heating station and then in the second heating station.

[0056] Furthermore, the device has facilities with which the temperature of the sealing flange can be determined after heating the sealing flange in the first heating station and the amount of heat introduced into the sealing flange in the second heating station can be adjusted depending on the determined temperature of the sealing flange.

[0057] This allows the dwell time in the sealing station to be kept as short as possible and makes it possible to ensure an optimal flange temperature for sealing at all times, even at high production speeds.

[0058] The heating stations of the device preferably have induction coils for heating the sealing flange of the can body or the frame. Such heating devices have proven to be particularly suitable.

[0059] It is also preferred that the support surfaces of the support tool are heatable. This allows for optimization of the seal quality and the process time.

[0060] The sealing stations preferably have pneumatic actuators by means of which the contact force is generated when sealing the foil lid or P191882 PC00

[0061] 10 can be transferred. This allows the contact force to be controlled very precisely and kept constant at all times.

[0062] In yet another preferred embodiment of the device, the first transport device according to the claim is designed such that the can body or the frame is held at its second end, advantageously in a form-fitting manner in the transport direction, by the first transport device according to the claim during transport to the sealing station, so that the remaining part of the can body or the frame is accessible from both sides in the transport direction. This offers the advantage that high production speeds can be achieved, whereby the position of the can body or the frame is precisely defined at all times.

[0063] It is further preferred that the device comprises a second transport device as claimed, to which, during normal operation, the can body or the frame is transferred after the foil lid has been sealed and fed to further stations of the device. This second transport device is designed such that, during transport to the further stations, the can body or the frame is held between its first and second ends, preferably positively in the transport direction, by the transport device, so that the ends of the can body or the frame are accessible. This offers the advantage that, after the foil lid has been sealed, further process steps can follow for which access to the ends is essential, such as embossing the foil lid or a leak test.

[0064] Furthermore, it is preferred that the device is designed such that the sealing flange remains in a predetermined process level as it passes through the device. This allows for a stable P191882 PC00

[0065] 11

[0066] Handling of the can body or frame can be achieved even at high production speeds.

[0067] Such devices are advantageously constructed in such a way that the components of the stations located above the process level are supported by a common superstructure of the device. For maintenance purposes, this superstructure, together with the upper components of the stations it supports, can be lifted off the rest of the device as a single unit and then returned to its original position. This type of construction allows for simple and quick maintenance of the device.

[0068] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Further embodiments, advantages, and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the figures. These figures show:

[0070] Fig. 1 a perspective top view of a sealing machine according to the invention;

[0071] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the main components of the sealing machine from Fig. 1;

[0072] Fig. 3a shows a perspective view from a slant above of one of the frames which are processed in the sealing machine;

[0073] Fig. 3b the frame from Fig. 3a after sealing a foil lid in the sealing machine;

[0074] Fig. 4 shows a perspective top view of the main components of the two sealing stations of the sealing machine;

[0075] Fig. 5a shows a perspective top view of the lower main components of the two sealing stations with the frames located therein, with the support tool open;

[0076] Fig. 5b a perspective top view of the lower main components of the two sealing stations with frames located therein with the support tool closed; P191882 PC00

[0077] 12

[0078] Fig. 6 shows a perspective sectional view through part of the finishing sealing station of the sealing machine;

[0079] Fig. 7 shows detail X from Fig. 6;

[0080] Fig. 8 shows a perspective top view of the two conveying devices of the sealing machine;

[0081] Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal section through the transfer area of ​​the two conveying devices; and

[0082] Fig. 10 shows a partially cut-out perspective top view of the sealing machine with the upper structure raised for servicing.

[0083] WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

[0084] Fig. 1 shows a perspective top view of a two-track sealing machine 1 according to the invention for sealing foil lids 9 onto tinplate frames 8 to form can bodies.

[0085] A perspective top view from an oblique angle of one of the frames 8, which are processed in the sealing machine 1, is shown in Fig. 3a. The cylindrical frame 8 forms a can wall 13 enclosing the interior of a can body to be formed with it, with a first end A and a second end B. In the region of its first end A, the frame 8 forms a first opening surrounded by a sealing flange 7, which, when the frame is later used as intended as part of a can body, will form the dispensing opening. The sealing flange 7 projects radially outwards beyond the can wall 13. In the region of its second end B, the frame 8 forms a second opening surrounded by a crimped flange 28, which, when the frame is later used as intended as part of a can body to be filled, will form the filling opening. Both the sealing flange 7 and the crimp flange 28 protrude radially outwards beyond the can wall 13.

[0086] As can be seen in conjunction with Fig. 2, which shows a side view of the cut-out P191882 PC00

[0087] 13

[0088] The main components of a track of the sealing machine 1 are shown. The frames 8 (for clarity, only some are marked with the reference number 4) pass through the sealing machine 1 in the transport direction S of the two transport devices 6, 17 from left to right. After being transferred to the first transport device 6 at a loading station 19, they successively pass through various stations of the sealing machine 1.

[0089] First, the frames 8 pass through a first heating station 2 at position PI, where the sealing flange 7 of the frame 8 is heated by means of an induction coil. Then, at position P2, the temperature of the sealing flange 7 after heating in the first heating station 2 is determined by an infrared camera 14. Subsequently, at position P3, in a second heating station 3, the sealing flange 7 is heated with another induction coil until it reaches the desired temperature upon exiting the second heating station 3. For this purpose, the amount of heat introduced into the sealing flange 7 in the second heating station 3 is adjusted depending on the temperature of the sealing flange 7 determined by the infrared camera 14.

[0090] After the sealing flange 7 has been heated to the desired temperature, the frames 8 enter a first sealing station 4 (pre-sealing station) at position P4. In this station, a foil cover 9 is punched out from a foil strip and pressed against the hot sealing flange 7 with a heated sealing tool 10, thereby sealing it. This first sealing step in the pre-sealing station primarily serves to fix the foil cover 9 to the sealing flange 7. Subsequently, at position P5, the sealing process is completed in a second sealing station 5 (final sealing station) so that the seal has the desired strength and width. P191882 PC00

[0091] 14

[0092] A perspective top view from an oblique angle of one of the frames 8 with a sealed foil lid 9, as it appears when leaving the second sealing station 5, is shown in Fig. 3b. As can be seen, the tear tab 19 of the foil lid 9 is pointing vertically upwards.

[0093] After leaving the second sealing station 5, the trays 8, fitted with sealed foil lids 9, are transferred to a second conveying device 17, which feeds them to further stations of the sealing machine 1. In these stations, the tear-off tab 19 is folded over and glued in place, and the foil lid 9 is embossed with a diamond pattern. Subsequently, the trays 8, fitted with foil lids 9, leave the sealing machine 1 and, as intended, are filled with a product from their second end B in a subsequent process. They are then sealed at this filling end with a crimped tinplate lid, resulting in a filled, closed tinplate can with a tear-off foil lid.

[0094] The main components of the two sealing stations 4, 5 of the sealing machine 1 are shown in a perspective top view in Fig. 4.

[0095] As can be seen, both sealing stations 4 and 5 each have a heated sealing tool 10 in their upper area for pressing the foil lid 9 against the sealing flange 7 of the frame 8. This tool is moved up and down by a drive unit 20 comprising a servo motor 21 and a crank mechanism 22. At the bottom dead center of the crank mechanism 22, the tool is pressed against the foil lid 9 and the sealing flange 7. The contact force generated by the drive units 20 is transmitted via pneumatic supports 16 (pneumatic actuators as required) to the sealing tools 10, which compress at the bottom dead center and pneumatically limit the contact force to a specific value. P191882 PC00

[0096] 15

[0097] The first sealing station 4 also has a punching tool 15 in the upper area, which is also actuated via the drive unit 20 and punches out the foil lid 9 to be sealed from a foil strip (not shown) when the sealing tool 10 is actuated.

[0098] In the lower area, the two sealing stations 4, 5 each have a console 23, which carries on its upper side a pincer-like support tool 11, which is temporarily positioned on the frame 8 for pressing the foil lid 9 onto the sealing flange 7 in such a way that it provides support surfaces for the sealing flange 7 during the pressing of the foil lid 9 onto the sealing flange 7, in order to prevent the sealing flange 7 from yielding under the pressing force.

[0099] The support tools 11 of both sealing stations 4, 5 are opened and closed by a common servomotor 24 via gear units 25 arranged in the consoles 23.

[0100] As can be seen in conjunction with Figures 5a and 5b, which show the lower main components of the two sealing stations 4, 5 with the frames 8 contained therein in a perspective top view, namely in Fig. 5a with the support tool 11 open and in Fig. 5b with the support tool 11 closed, the support tools 11 are each formed by two identical pincer-shaped tool halves 11 with heated, annular segment-shaped support surfaces 12a, 12b, with which the frame 8 is gripped from the outside in order to support the sealing flange 7, which projects radially outwards from the can wall 13, when the foil lid 9 is sealed.

[0101] For this purpose, the pincer-shaped tool halves 11 are moved in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction S of the first transport device 6 towards the frame 8. P191882 PC00

[0102] 16

[0103] With the support tool 11 (Fig. 5b) closed, the support surfaces 12a, 12b extend essentially over the entire circumference of the sealing flange 7.

[0104] The situation during sealing in the finishing sealing station is best illustrated by Figures 6 and 7, which show perspective cross-sectional views through a part of the finishing sealing station during the sealing process. Figure 7 shows detail X from Figure 6. For better visibility of the elements shown, the cross-sectional surfaces of components 10 and 29 are shown in hatched relief in Figure 7.

[0105] As can be seen, the support surfaces 12a, 12b are provided by ring-segment-shaped components 29 of the support tool 11, which can be replaced when worn. During sealing, the sealing flange 7 of the frame 8 with the pre-sealed foil cover 9 is clamped between component 29 of the support tool 11 and the sealing tool 10.

[0106] Fig. 8 shows a perspective top view of the two linear conveying devices 6, 17 of the sealing machine 1, and Fig. 9 shows a longitudinal section through the transfer area of ​​the two conveying devices 6, 17.

[0107] As can be seen, the first transport device is a conveyor belt 6, which is designed such that the frames 8 are held at their lower ends B in the transport direction S by magnetic carrier elements 26 of this transport device 6 when being transported to the heating and sealing stations ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ), so that the remaining part of the frames 8 is accessible from both sides when viewed in the transport direction S.

[0108] The second transport device 17, to which the frames 8 are transferred after the foil cover 9 has been sealed onto the sealing flange 7 and which then feeds them to further stations of the sealing machine 1, consists of two vertical, parallel, opposing P191882 PC00

[0109] 17 standing conveyor belts, between which the frames 8 are held. It is designed such that the frames 8 are held in a form-fitting manner in the transport direction S between the upper end A and the lower end B by drive elements 27 of the conveyor belts, so that both ends A, B of the frames 8 are accessible.

[0110] As can be seen further in Fig. 8, the frames 8 remain in a predetermined process plane on their way through the sealing machine 1, i.e. they are neither raised nor lowered in the sealing machine 1 with respect to their longitudinal axes.

[0111] Fig. 10 shows a partially cut-out perspective top view of the sealing machine 1 with the upper structure 18 raised for servicing.

[0112] As can be seen, the components of stations 2, 3, 4, 5 of the sealing machine 1, which are arranged above the process level, are supported by a common upper structure 18 of the machine 1, which can be lifted off as a unit together with these components from the lower components of the stations for revision purposes and then returned to its original position.

[0113] While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly pointed out that the invention is not limited to these and can also be carried out in other ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

P191882PC00 18 Patentansprüche 1. Method for sealing a foil lid (9) onto a sealing flange (7) of a can body or a frame (8) to form a can body, comprising the following steps: a) providing a can body or a frame (8), in particular cylindrical, which forms a can wall (13) enclosing the interior of a can body to be formed therewith, with a first end (A) and a second end (B), wherein the can body or frame (8) is in the area of ​​its ora) its first end (A) forms a first opening surrounded by a sealing flange (7), b) providing a foil lid (9) made of a sealable foil material, c) arranging the foil lid (9) over the first opening and on the sealing flange (7), and d) sealing the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange by applying heat and pressing the foil lid (9) against the sealing flange (7), wherein, prior to pressing the foil lid (9) against the sealing flange (7), a support tool (11) is moved towards or into the can body or the frame (8), which, during the pressing of the foil lid (9) against the sealing flange, provides one or more support surfaces (12a, 12b) for the sealing flange (7) to prevent the sealing flange (7) from yielding under the Contact force.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sealing of the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) is carried out in several steps, in particular in two P191882PC00 19 in steps, wherein at least in one of the steps, in particular in all steps, before pressing the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) a support tool (11) is moved towards the sealing flange (7), which during the pressing of the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) provides one or more support surfaces (12a, 12b) for the sealing flange (7) to prevent the sealing flange (7) from yielding under the pressing force.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein when pressing the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) the support surfaces (12a, 12b) of the support tool (11) extend substantially over the entire circumference of the sealing flange (7).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing flange is radially inwards from the can wall (13) and the support tool is inserted into the frame (8) from the second end (B) of the frame (8).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing flange (7) projects radially outwards beyond the can wall (13), and wherein the can body or the frame (8) is enclosed from the outside with a multi-part support tool (11).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the can body or the frame (8) is transported by a particularly linear first transport device (6), in particular stepwise, into the position in which the foil lid (9) is sealed onto the sealing flange (7).

7. Method according to claim 5 and claim 6, wherein the support tool (11) has two tool halves with which the can body or the frame P191882PC00 20 (8) is gripped, wherein the tool halves for gripping the can body or frame (8) are moved in a direction transverse, in particular perpendicular to the transport direction (S) of the transport device (6) towards the can body or frame (8).

8. Method according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, when transporting the can body or frame (8) with the transport device (6), a positive locking in the transport direction (S) is present between the second end (B) of the can body or frame (8) and the drive elements (21) of the transport device (6).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the can body or the frame (8) is substantially not moved in the position in which the foil lid (9) is sealed onto the sealing flange (7) during the sealing process.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step a) a frame (8) is provided which forms a second opening at its second end (B) which is surrounded by a flange (28) projecting radially outwards beyond the can wall (13).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil lid (9) is pressed onto the sealing flange (7) when sealing with a sealing tool (10) which is in particular heated.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support surfaces (12a, 12b) of the support tool (11) are heated.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the foil lid (9) is die-cut from a foil strip immediately before sealing. P191882PC00 21 14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the foil lid (9) is punched out of the foil strip using the sealing tool (10).

15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing flange (7) is heated in one or more steps before the foil lid (9) is sealed, in particular with one or more induction coils.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the heating takes place at one or more positions located upstream in the transport direction (S) from the sealing position.

17. Method according to claim 16, wherein a first heating of the sealing flange (7) takes place at a first position (PI) located upstream of the sealing position in the transport direction (S), the temperature of the sealing flange (7) is then determined at this first position (PI) or at a second position (P2) located downstream of it in the transport direction (S), and subsequently a further heating of the sealing flange (7) takes place at this second position (P2) or at a third position (P3) located downstream of it in the transport direction (S), depending on the previously determined temperature of the sealing flange (7).

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact force is generated or transmitted when sealing the foil lid (9) by means of pneumatic actuators (18).

19. Device (1) for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising one or more heating stations (2, 3) for heating the sealing flange (7) at the first end of the can body or the frame (8), one or more sealing stations (4, P191882PC00 22 5) for sealing the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) and a first transport device (6), in particular a linear one, for stepwise feeding the can body or the frame (8) to the heating station(s) (2, 3) and to the sealing station(s) (4, 5), wherein the sealing stations (4, 5) each have a sealing tool (10) for pressing the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) of the can body or the frame (8) and at least one sealing station (4, 5) has a support tool (11) which can be temporarily positioned on the can body or the frame (8) for pressing the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7) in such a way that, during the pressing of the foil lid (9) onto the sealing flange (7), it provides one or more support surfaces (12a, 12b) for the sealing flange (7). provides to prevent the sealing flange (7) from yielding under the contact force.

20. Device (1) according to claim 19, wherein the support tool (11) is designed such that the support surfaces (12a, 12b) of the support tool (11) extend substantially over the entire circumference of the sealing flange (7) when the foil lid (9) is pressed against the sealing flange (7).

21. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the support tool is designed such that it can be inserted into the frame (8) from the second end of the frame (8) in order to support a sealing flange extending radially inwards from the can wall (13) when sealing the foil lid (9).

22. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the support tool (11) is multi-part and designed in such a way that it can be used to grip the can body or the frame (8) from the outside in order to P191882PC00 23 to support a sealing flange (7) extending radially outwards from the can wall (13) when sealing the foil lid (9).

23. Device (1) according to claim 22, wherein the support tool (11) has two tool halves with which the can body or the frame (8) can be radially grasped, and in particular, wherein the tool halves (11) can be moved towards the frame (8) in a direction transverse, in particular perpendicular to the transport direction (S) of the first transport device (6) for the purpose of grasping the frame (8).

24. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 23, wherein the sealing station or sealing stations (4, 5) is or are designed such that the can body or the frame (8) is not moved in the position (P4, P5) in which the foil lid (9) is sealed onto the sealing flange (7) during the sealing process.

25. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the sealing tool (10) is heatable.

26. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the sealing station or, in the case of several sealing stations (4, 5), the first sealing station (4) in the transport direction (S) of the first transport device (6) has a punching tool (15) by means of which the foil lid (9) to be sealed can be punched out of a foil strip immediately before sealing.

27. Device (1) according to claim 26, wherein the punching tool (15) and the sealing tool (10) are designed as a unit. P191882PC00 24 28. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the device (1) has a first heating station (2) and a second heating station (3) with which the sealing flange (7) of the can body or the frame (8) can be heated first in the first heating station (2) and then in the second heating station (3), and wherein the device (1) further comprises means (14) with which the temperature of the sealing flange (7) can be determined after the heating of the sealing flange (7) in the first heating station (2) and with which the amount of heat introduced into the sealing flange (7) in the second heating station (3) can be adjusted as a function of the determined temperature of the sealing flange (7).

29. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 28, wherein the heating stations or the heating stations (2, 3) have induction coils for heating the sealing flange (7) of the can body or the frame (8).

30. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 29, wherein the support surfaces (12a, 12b) of the support tool (11) are heatable.

31. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 30, wherein at least one sealing station (4, 5) has pneumatic actuators (16) by means of which the contact force can be generated or transmitted when sealing the foil lid (9).

32. Device (1) according to one of claims 19 to 31, wherein the first transport device (6) is designed such that the can body or frame (8) is supported at its second point during transport to the sealing station or sealing stations (4, 5). P191882PC00 25 End (B) , in particular positively in the transport direction (S) , is held by the first transport device (6) so that the remaining part of the can body or frame (8) is accessible from both sides when viewed in the transport direction (S).

33. Device (1) according to claim 32, wherein the device (1) comprises a second transport device (17) to which, in the intended operation, the can body or the frame (8) is transferred after the foil lid (9) has been sealed onto the sealing flange (7) and fed to further stations of the device, wherein the second transport device (17) is designed such that the can body or the frame (8) is held by the transport device (17) between the first end (A) and the second end (B) during transport to the further stations, in particular positively in the transport direction (S), so that the ends (A, B) of the can body or the frame (8) are accessible.

34. Device (1) according to one of the claims 19 to 33, wherein the device (1) is designed such that the sealing flange (7) remains in a predetermined process level when passing through the device.

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