DE102019127451A1 - Device for guiding container closures and closing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closure device (6), comprising a first guide rail (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (2), one of which extends in the longitudinal direction (2 ) A second guide rail (4) extending in length is provided, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (2) relative to the first guide rail (3), the first guide rail (3) and the second guide rail (4) forming a length-adjustable guide path for guiding the container closures , a closing device (6) having the device (1) and a system for treating containers (8) having the device (1) and the closing device (6).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device and for guiding container closures, for example for feeding crown corks to a closure device in a beverage filling plant, as well as a closure device for closing a container with a container closure, for example for closing a bottle with a crown cork.

State of the art

It is known in filling systems for filling containers with a filling product, in particular in beverage filling systems, to feed the container closures to be applied to filled containers to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure via a guide rail.

The container closures are often sorted and oriented in a sorting device or a so-called agitator and then transferred to the guide rail. As a rule, such sorting devices or agitators are arranged at least partially above the closing device, viewed in the gravitational direction, such that the container closures guided in the guide rail are moved in the direction of the closing device due to gravity.

In order to be able to process container closures of different container heights by the same system or the same closing device, it is known to make the upper part of the closing device adjustable in height. In order to change from a container of a certain type with a certain container height to another container type with a different container height, the upper part has to be moved accordingly in height so that the closing element of the closing device is correctly positioned in relation to the new container height.

If the sorting device or the agitator, as is often the case with conventional systems, is attached directly to the upper part of the closing device, the distance between the sorting device or the agitator and the closing element does not depend on a change in height, so that this combined structure does not Retrofitting is required to handle different container heights.

In modern systems, however, the sorting device or the agitator can also be arranged outside the filling and sealing process space of the system. Here, the sorting device or the agitator is arranged, for example, on a pedestal above the closing device or on a clean room roof of a clean room that houses at least the closing device. The sorting device or the agitator then consequently has an essentially constant height level. If the height of the closing device or the closing element is changed in order to treat containers with a different container height, the distance between the sorting device or the agitator and the closing element changes accordingly. To compensate for this change in height, the system must be converted accordingly by changing between different guide rails, which have different lengths. In other words, a separate guide rail is to be provided for essentially each container height. The system must be converted accordingly to handle containers of a different container height, at least by inserting the guide rail assigned to the new container height into the system.

In order to reduce the expense of this conversion or even to avoid it entirely, guide devices are known in which the guide rail is divided into different parts which can be guided past one another laterally. These guide devices provide a multi-curved guide path for the container closures. The container closures are transferred laterally from a first section to a second section. Such guide devices are heavy due to the large amount of material used, and also have a complicated structure due to the large number of parts, and they require a significantly larger installation space compared to guide rails. Such guide devices are, for example EP 2 451 739 B1 or the CN 204224204 U refer to.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown corks to a closure device, as well as an improved closure device.

The object is achieved by a device for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown corks to a closure device, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments result from the Subclaims, the description and the figures.

Accordingly, a device for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown caps to a closure device, is proposed, comprising a first guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction. The device is further characterized in that a second guide rail is provided which extends in the longitudinal direction and which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the first guide rail, the first guide rail and the second guide rail forming a length-adjustable guide path for guiding the container closures.

In that a second guide rail is provided which extends in the longitudinal direction and which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction relative to the first guide rail, the first guide rail and the second guide rail forming a length-adjustable guide path for guiding the container closures, the device can provide different guide lengths, without the need for retooling, in particular replacement. One of the two guide rails can be connected to a sorting device or a stirrer, for example, and the other of the two guide rails can be connected to a closing element of a closing device. If there is a change in the distance of the closing device relative to the sorting device or the agitator, this change in the distance can be compensated for by changing the length of the device by shifting the first guide rail relative to the second guide rail in the longitudinal direction.

The device can therefore compensate for a changed distance without the container closures guided in the guide rail experiencing an offset along their guide path. The device therefore enables simple positioning between the sorting device or the agitator and the closing device, as was only possible in conventional systems by using different guide rails of different lengths, but without the previously required complex conversion in the form of replacing the guide rail To have to provide for the treatment of containers with a different container height by the system.

In comparison to conventional guide devices, the device described here for guiding container closures has a simplified structure. In particular in combination with the proposed simplified positioning option, the present device can greatly simplify the construction of a system having the device.

The guide path is preferably designed as a straight path. Here, the term “straight” is to be understood in the geometric sense. In other words, a “straight line” is a shortest connection between two points.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first guide rail forms a longitudinally extending straight first guide segment and the second guide rail forms a longitudinally extending straight second guide segment. The device therefore provides a straight guide path which is essentially formed by the first guide path section and the second guide path section.

In order to achieve a particularly compact structure of the device, one of the guide rails can be designed so that it can be pushed into the other guide rail and pulled out of it. In other words, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are designed to be telescopic in the longitudinal direction. Correspondingly, the device is a device which can be telescoped in the longitudinal direction.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous to guide the second guide rail in the first guide rail. This can prevent the guide rails from tilting with respect to one another in the event of a change in length, that is to say a displacement of the first guide rail relative to the second guide rail.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first guide rail has two opposite guide elements each having a guide groove for laterally guiding a container closure, the guide grooves facing one another. In this way, at least lateral guidance of the container closures can be made possible in a simple manner. Advantageously, the guide elements can also be used to guide the container closures in their height direction.

A height direction of a container closure corresponds to a direction from an upper part or cover section of the container closure in the direction of an open lower end of the container closure. In other words, the height direction corresponds essentially to a longitudinal axis of the through the container closure sealed container. The term “laterally” in relation to a container closure is also to be understood as in a radial direction relative to the height direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the second guide rail has two opposite guide plates, each forming a guide groove for laterally guiding a container closure, the guide grooves facing one another. Advantageously, the guide plates can also be used to guide the container closures in their height direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the guide plates of the second guide rail are guided in the guide grooves of the guide elements of the first guide rail. A particularly simple and compact structure of the device can thereby be achieved.

The guide grooves are preferably designed as T-grooves, the guide plates being guided in the undercut recess of the T-groove. As a result, additional elements for guiding and / or positioning the guide plates relative to the guide grooves can essentially be dispensed with.

According to a further preferred embodiment, an outer guide, preferably a linear guide, particularly preferably a guide comprising a telescopic cylinder, is provided for guiding the first guide rail and the second guide rail relative to one another in the longitudinal direction. This can increase the stability of the device. In addition, the requirements with regard to the tolerances between the first guide rail and the second guide rail can thereby be reduced.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the second guide rail has at least one guide segment for guiding a container closure in its height direction, preferably two opposite guide segments, the at least one guide segment preferably being arranged between the guide plates of the second guide rail. As a result, lateral guidance and guidance in the vertical direction of the container closures can be provided by the second guide rail and the second guide rail at the same time has a simple structure in which the individual parts of the second guide rail each have simple geometric shapes that can be produced in a simple manner and in a material-saving manner.

In order to avoid tilting of a container closure when it enters the first guide rail, the guide grooves of the first guide rail can each have a bevel at their end facing the second guide rail.

The object set above is also achieved by a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a bottle with a crown cap, having the features of claim 11. Advantageous developments result from the present description and the figures.

Accordingly, a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a bottle with a crown cap, is proposed, comprising a closing element for applying a container closure to a container, a height position of the closing element for adapting the height position of the closing element to different types of containers to be closed is changeable. The closing device is characterized by a device for guiding container closures according to one of the preceding embodiments.

By means of the closing device, the advantages and effects described with regard to the device for guiding container closures can be achieved in an analogous manner.

Furthermore, the above object can be achieved by a system for treating containers, preferably a filling system for filling containers with a filling product and closing the container with a container closure.

Accordingly, a system for treating containers, preferably a filling system for filling containers with a filling product and closing the container with a container closure, is proposed, comprising a filling device for filling a container, a sorting device for sorting container closures and a closing device for closing a filled container . The system is characterized in that the closing device has a device for guiding container closures according to one of the embodiments described above.

Figure list

• 1 schematisch eine Seitenansicht einer Anlage zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Füllprodukt und zum Verschließen der befüllten Behälter mit einem Behälterverschluss;
• 2 schematisch eine weitere Seitenansicht der Anlage aus 1;
• 3 schematisch eine perspektivische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Führen von Behälterverschlüssen der Anlage gemäß der 1 und 2;
• 4 schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung aus 3.
• 5 schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung aus 3;
• 6 schematisch eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung aus 4;
• 7 schematisch eine weitere perspektivische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß der 3 bis 6;
• 8 schematisch eine perspektivische Schnittansicht durch die Vorrichtung senkrecht zu deren Längsrichtung;
• 9 schematisch eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer ersten Führungsschiene der Vorrichtung aus 8;
• 10 schematisch eine perspektivische Detailansicht einer zweiten Führungsschiene der Vorrichtung aus 8; und
• 11 schematisch eine perspektivische Detailansicht der zweiten Führungsschiene aus 10.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Show:

• 1 a schematic side view of a system for filling containers with a filling product and for closing the filled containers with a container closure;
• 2 schematically shows a further side view of the system 1 ;
• 3 schematically a perspective side view of a device for guiding container closures of the system according to FIG 1 and 2 ;
• 4th schematically shows a further perspective side view of the device 3 .
• 5 schematically shows a side view of the device 3 ;
• 6th schematically shows a side view of the device 4th ;
• 7th schematically a further perspective side view of the device according to FIG 3 to 6th ;
• 8th schematically, a perspective sectional view through the device perpendicular to its longitudinal direction;
• 9 schematically shows a perspective detailed view of a first guide rail of the device 8th ;
• 10 schematically shows a perspective detailed view of a second guide rail of the device 8th ; and
• 11 schematically shows a perspective detailed view of the second guide rail from 10 .

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with identical reference symbols in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is in some cases dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

In 1 is schematically a plant 10 for filling containers 8th with a filling product and sealing the filled container 8th shown with a container closure. Here are the containers 8th provided in the form of bottles which are closed with container closures in the form of crown caps. For this purpose, the containers 8th initially filled with the filling product in a filling device (not shown) and then via a container feed 66 a locking device 6th fed. The locking device 6th has a closure member 60 which is set up for this purpose, a container 8th to be provided with a container closure. The closing device 60 is designed to be adjustable in height. There is therefore a height position of the closing element 60 changeable so that the height position of the closing element 60 can be adapted to different types of containers to be closed. The closing device 60 is set to a height position corresponding to the respective container height in order to adapt to a container type. In 1 is the closing element 60 for example at a first height position 61 arranged, whereby the closure member 60 is set up for this purpose, container 8th with a first container height 80 to be provided with a container closure.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the filling device and the closing device are not shown 6th in a clean room 9 arranged. On a clean room roof 90 of the clean room 9 is a sorting device 7th arranged for sorting container closures. To those in the sorter 7th assorted container closures of the closing device 6th is to be fed between the sorting device 7th and the closing device 6th a device 1 arranged for guiding container closures. In the present case, they are in the sorting device 7th sorted crown caps via the device 1 the closing device 6th fed.

The device 1 comprises one extending in a longitudinal direction 2 extending first guide rail 3 and one in the longitudinal direction 2 extending second guide rail 4th which in the longitudinal direction 2 relative to the first guide rail 3 is movable. Through the first guide rail 3 and the second guide rail 4th a length-adjustable guide path is formed for guiding the container closures, the guide path essentially having a first length shown here 20th the device 1 corresponds to.

The first length 20th is by the distance 70 between the sorting device 7th and the current altitude position 61 of the closure member 60 the closing device 6th given.

The first guide rail 3 forms one in the longitudinal direction 2 extending straight first guide section and the second guide rail 4th forms one in the longitudinal direction 2 extending straight second guide section, as in detail with regard to the 5 and 6th described in more detail.

Here is the second guide rail 4th in the first guide rail 3 designed to be pushed in and pulled out from this. In other words, the device is 1 via the guide rails 3 , 4th designed to be telescopic.

2 shows the system 10 out 1 , where instead of the container 8th with the first container height 80 container 8th' with a second container height 80 ' be treated. The second container height 80 ' differs from the first container height 80 . To the container 8th' To be able to close is the closing element 60 accordingly to a second height position 62 been proceeded. By means of the reference number 64 is the height difference between the first height position 61 and the second height position 62 indicated. The distance 70 ' between the sorting device 7th and the closing device 6th is thus different from the distance 70 as in 1 shown. The device accordingly has 1 a second length 22nd on which of the first length 20th is different. To this change the length of the device 1 to enable are the first guide rail 3 and the second guide rail 4th compared to 1 longitudinal 2 have been moved relative to each other to the in 2 position shown.

3 shows the device 1 the plant 10 according to the 1 and 2 schematically in a perspective side view, the device 1 is in a fully retracted state. In other words, it is the second guide rail 4th as far as possible in the first guide rail 3 inserted. The device 1 therefore has a first length 20th on which a minimum length of the device 1 corresponds to.

The second guide rail 4th is how in terms of 1 and 2 already mentioned, can be pushed into the first guide rail and can be pulled out from this. The second guide rail 4th is in the first guide rail 3 as described in more detail below.

The second guide rail is used to guide the container closures 4th two opposite guide plates, each forming a guide groove for laterally guiding a container closure 40 on, with the guide grooves facing each other. Due to the representation in 3 is only one of the two guide plates 40 to see. The opposite guide plate is through a guide segment 44 covered. This is one of two opposing guide segments 44 for guiding a container closure in its height direction, the guide segments 44 between the guide plates 40 the second guide rail 4th are arranged.

The leadership segments 40 indicate a stop 48 on, which is in an elongated hole 36 the first guide rail 3 longitudinal 2 is led. The ends of the elongated hole 36 limit in combination with the stop 48 the movement of the second guide rail 4th in relation to the first guide rail 3 . The ends of the elongated hole 36 therefore give the end positions for the second guide rail 4th relative to the first guide rail 3 in front.

In 4th Figure 3 is schematically a further perspective side view of the device 1 out 3 shown, with second guide rail 4th compared to 3 relative to the first guide rail 3 longitudinal 2 is shifted so that the stop 48 at the in 4th shown upper end of the elongated hole 36 strikes. The device 1 therefore has a second length 22nd on which is a maximum length of the device 1 corresponds to.

In the 5 and 6th is the device 1 according to the 3 and 4th each shown schematically in a side view. In 5 is the device 1 shown schematically in a completely inserted state, so that it has the first length described above 20th having. This sets the device 1 longitudinal 2 a guideway for through the device 1 guided container closures ready, which are essentially of the first length 20th corresponds to. The first guide rail provides 3 a first guideway section 24 ready and the second guide rail 4th a second guideway section 26th ready to be shared by the device 1 form provided straight guiding route.

The device accordingly has 1 in 6th one of the first length 20th different second length 22nd on which, in turn, one through the device 1 provided guide route corresponds. It can be seen here that a device in this position 1 through the first guide rail 3 provided first guide route section 24 ' the route section 24 in 5 corresponds to. The one through the second guide rail 4th provided second guide route section 26 ' differs from the second guide route section 26th as in 5 shown as the second guide rail 4th in 6th compared to 5 from the first guide rail 3 is pushed out. Set the guide rails accordingly 3 , 4th together a guide path is ready, which is essentially the second length 22nd corresponds to.

In 7th is the device 1 of the aforementioned figures shown schematically in a further perspective side view, in which the device 1 compared to 3 and 4th in one around the longitudinal direction 2 is shown in approximately 90 ° rotated position, so that an additional, outer guide 5 the device 1 you can see. The leadership 5 in the present case has a telescopic cylinder 50 on which a first telescopic cylinder part 52 includes, which with the first guide rail 3 is connected, and a second telescopic cylinder part 54 includes, which in the first telescopic cylinder part 52 can be pushed in and pulled out of this, and which with the second guide rail 4th connected is. The outer leadership 5 consequently leads the movement of the second guide rail 4th relative to the first guide rail 3 longitudinal 2 .

In 8th Figure 3 is a schematic perspective sectional view through the device 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 2 on the in 7th shown by means of the reference character AA indicated height.

The two opposite guide grooves can be clearly seen 32 for laterally guiding a container closure having guide elements 30th , the guide grooves 32 facing each other. Also the two opposite, one guide groove each 42 for the lateral guidance of a container closure forming guide plates 40 can be seen here, with the guide grooves 42 facing each other.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the guide plates are 40 the second guide rail 4th in the guide grooves 32 of the guide elements 30th the first guide rail 3 guided. The guide grooves 32 are optionally designed as a T-slot, with the guide plates 40 each in the undercut recess 34 the T-slot 32 are led.

The protrusions 35 of the guide grooves 32 represent a basic width of the guide grooves 32 ready, which is greater than the height of the container closures to be transferred, but dimensioned so that a guide in the height direction of the container closures through the projections 35 is provided. The undercut recesses 34 and the guide plates 40 are designed in such a way that the lateral arms of the guide plates 40 a guide plate 40 have a distance from one another which is equal to or preferably greater than that through the projections 35 provided basic width. As a result, the container closures in the vertical direction are essentially exclusively through the first guide rail 3 guided.

As already described above, the second guide rail 4th the leadership segments 44 to guide the container closures also in the vertical direction. The leadership segments 44 serve in particular to lock the container closures in the second guide segment section 26th , 26 ' to lead in height direction. The leadership segments 44 are arranged at a distance from this which is essentially the basic width of the guide grooves 32 corresponds to.

About tilting a container closure when entering the first guide rail 3 to avoid pointing the protrusions 35 on that of the second guide rail 4th facing end of the guide groove 32 one bevel each 38 on how the schematic perspective detailed view of the first guide rail 3 out 9 refer to.

In 10 is schematically a further perspective detailed view of the first guide rail 3 shown. It can be clearly seen that the T-slot shape of the guide groove 32 approximately at the level of the lower end of the elongated hole 36 ends. Consequently, the T-groove has a shape of the guide groove 32 a finite length. The undercut recesses 34 the guide groove 32 extends so far that the respective guide plate 40 when the device is in the maximum pushed-in position 1 like that 3 and 5 to be removed, unhindered in the first guide rail 3 can be inserted without using the end of the undercut recess 34 to collide.

In 11 is a schematic perspective detailed view of the second guide rail 4th shown. The guide plates 40 each have a driver 46 on, which in the present case is optionally located to the side of the guide plate 40 extending wing is formed. The drivers 46 enable the guide segment to be moved in height 44 through the guide plates 40 , again taking the stops 48 of the leadership segments 44 in cooperation with the elongated hole 36 the movement of the second guide rail 4th relative to the first guide rail 3 limit.

As far as applicable, all of the individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

2

Longitudinal direction

20th

First length

22nd

Second length

24, 24 '

First route section

26, 26 '

Second route section

3

First guide rail

30th

Guide element

32

Guide groove

34

Undercut recess

35

head Start

36

Long hole

38

chamfer

4th

Second guide rail

40

Guide plate

42

Guide groove

44

Leadership segment

46

Carrier

48

attack

5

guide

50

Telescopic cylinder

52

First telescopic cylinder part

54

Second telescopic cylinder part

6th

Locking device

60

Closing element

61

First height position

62

Second height position

64

Height difference

66

Container feed

7th

Sorting device

70, 70 '

distance

8, 8 '

container

80, 80 '

Container height

9

Clean room

90

Clean room roof

10

investment

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2451739 B1 [0007]
• CN 204224204 U [0007]

Claims (11)

Device (1) for guiding container closures, preferably for feeding crown corks to a closure device (6), comprising a first guide rail (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (2), characterized in that one extending in the longitudinal direction (2) second guide rail (4) is provided, which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction (2) relative to the first guide rail (3), the first guide rail (3) and the second guide rail (4) forming a length-adjustable guide path for guiding the container closures. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first guide rail (3) forms a straight first guide section (24) extending in the longitudinal direction (2) and the second guide rail (4) forms a straight second guide section (26) extending in the longitudinal direction (2) . Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that one of the guide rails (3, 4) can be pushed into and pulled out of the other guide rail (4, 3). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide rail (4) is guided in the first guide rail (3). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first guide rail (3) has two opposite guide elements (30) each having a guide groove (32) for laterally guiding a container closure, the guide grooves (32) facing each other . Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide rail (4) has two opposite guide plates (40) each forming a guide groove (42) for laterally guiding a container closure, the guide grooves (42) facing each other . Device (1) according to Claim 6 when referring back to Claim 5 , characterized in that the guide plates (40) of the second guide rail (4) are guided in the guide grooves (32) of the guide elements (30) of the first guide rail (3). Device (1) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the guide grooves (32) are designed as T-slots, the guide plates (40) being guided in the undercut recess (34) of the T-slot. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an outer guide (5), preferably a linear guide, particularly preferably a guide (5) comprising a telescopic cylinder (50), for guiding the first guide rail (3) and the second guide rail (4 ) is provided relative to each other in the longitudinal direction (2). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide rail (4) has at least one guide segment (44) for guiding a container closure in its height direction, preferably two opposite guide segments (44), the at least one guide segment ( 44) is preferably arranged between the guide plates (40) of the second guide rail (4). Closing device (6) for closing a container (8) with a container closure, preferably for closing a bottle with a crown cap, comprising a closure member (60) for applying a container closure to a container (8), a height position (61, 62) of the Closing member (60) for adapting the height position (61, 62) of the closing member (60) to different container types to be closed is changeable, characterized by a device (1) for guiding container closures according to one of the preceding claims.

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