U.S. patent application number 12/372947 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for capping machine in a beverage bottling plant configured to cap beverage bottles with beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps and a capping machine configured to cap containers with container caps.
Invention is credited to Heinz HILLMANN, Lothar WILHELM.
Application Number | 20100037557 12/372947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38829599 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100037557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WILHELM; Lothar ; et
al. |
February 18, 2010 |
CAPPING MACHINE IN A BEVERAGE BOTTLING PLANT CONFIGURED TO CAP
BEVERAGE BOTTLES WITH BEVERAGE BOTTLE CROWN CAPS OR BEVERAGE BOTTLE
SCREW CAPS AND A CAPPING MACHINE CONFIGURED TO CAP CONTAINERS WITH
CONTAINER CAPS
Abstract
A capping machine in a beverage bottling plant configured to cap
beverage bottles with beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle
screw caps and a capping machine configured to cap containers with
container caps. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted
herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b). As stated in 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure
in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably
following the claims, under the heading "Abstract of the
Disclosure." The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly
from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical
disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the
scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the
abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and
should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
Inventors: |
WILHELM; Lothar; (Karben,
DE) ; HILLMANN; Heinz; (Obrigheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NILS H. LJUNGMAN & ASSOCIATES
P. O. BOX 130
GREENSBURG
PA
15601-0130
US
|
Family ID: |
38829599 |
Appl. No.: |
12/372947 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2007/007206 |
Aug 16, 2007 |
|
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12372947 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/331.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 47/24 20130101;
B65B 57/04 20130101; B65G 2203/044 20130101; B65G 47/256 20130101;
B65G 2203/042 20130101; B65B 7/2807 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/331.5 |
International
Class: |
B65B 7/28 20060101
B65B007/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 039 091.1 |
Claims
1. A capping machine in a beverage bottling plant configured to cap
beverage bottles with beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle
screw caps, said capping machine comprising: a sorting unit being
configured and disposed to orient the open sides of beverage bottle
crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps with a predetermined
orientation for the capping of beverage bottles; a conveyor channel
comprising a conveyor channel output; said conveyor channel being
configured and disposed to permit movement of beverage bottle crown
caps or beverage bottle screw caps from said sorting unit to said
conveyor channel output; said conveyor channel being configured to
move beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps on
their rounded exterior side surfaces; a sensor being disposed
adjacent to at least a portion of said conveyor channel and being
configured and disposed to detect the orientation of beverage
bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps, upon beverage
bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps moving down said
conveyor channel and passing said sensor; an ejector station being
disposed on said conveyor channel downstream of said sensor and
being configured and disposed to eject beverage bottle crown caps
or beverage bottle screw caps not in the predetermined orientation,
upon said sensor detecting an beverage bottle crown cap or beverage
bottle screw cap not in the predetermined orientation passing by
said sensor; and a control unit being configured and disposed to
receive signals from said sensor relating to the orientation of
beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps and being
further configured and disposed to send signals to said ejector
station to eject beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle
screw caps not in the predetermined orientation, upon said sensor
detecting an beverage bottle crown cap or beverage bottle screw cap
not in the predetermined orientation.
2. The capping machine according to claim 1, wherein said capping
machine comprises a first blocking device: disposed downstream of
said sensor in a direction of transport; disposed upstream of said
ejector station in a direction of transport; and configured to
block said conveyor channel.
3. The capping machine according to claim 2, wherein: said first
blocking device is configured to be controlled by said control
unit; and said first blocking device is further configured to open
and close said conveyor channel.
4. The capping machine according to claim 3, wherein said first
blocking device is further configured to block said conveyor
channel upon a beverage bottle crown cap or beverage bottle screw
cap not in the predetermined orientation being ejected.
5. The capping machine according to claim 4, wherein said capping
machine further comprises a second blocking device: disposed on
said conveyor channel; disposed downstream of said ejector station
in a direction of transport; being configured to permit beverage
bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps in the
predetermined orientation to pass through said conveyor channel;
and being configured to restrict beverage bottle crown caps or
beverage bottle screw caps not in the predetermined orientation
from passing through said conveyor channel.
6. The capping machine according to claim 5, wherein said capping
machine further comprises at least one additional sensor: disposed
downstream of said second blocking device in a direction of
transport; and configured to detect an interruption of the movement
of beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps.
7. The capping machine according to claim 6, wherein: said ejector
station comprises at least one discharge or ejector element; and
said at least one discharge or ejector element is configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
8. The capping machine according to claim 7, wherein: said capping
machine further comprises an electrically controllable drive
element configured to be actuated by said control unit; said
ejector arrangement further comprises an ejector or diverter
configured to be actuated by said electrically controllable drive
element; and said electrically controllable drive element further
comprises an electromechanical drive element configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
9. The capping machine according to claim 8, wherein said ejector
station further comprises at least one nozzle configured to permit
a discharge of a vapor and/or gas medium under pressure to blow out
beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps not in the
predetermined orientation; said ejector station is further
configured to permit a controlled discharge of compressed air; said
second blocking device comprises a star wheel configured to project
into said conveyor channel; said sorting unit comprises an outlet;
said conveyor channel comprises an inlet configured to connect to
said outlet of said sorting unit; and said sorting unit is
configured to accept beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle
screw caps from an unorganized supply.
10. A capping machine being configured to cap containers with
container caps, said capping machine comprising: a sorting unit
being configured and disposed to orient the open sides of container
caps with a predetermined orientation for the capping of
containers; a conveyor channel comprising a conveyor channel
output; said conveyor channel being configured and disposed to
permit movement of container caps from said sorting unit to said
conveyor channel output; said conveyor channel being configured to
move container caps on their rounded exterior side surfaces; a
sensing arrangement being configured and disposed to detect the
orientation of container caps upon container caps moving down said
conveyor channel and passing said sensing arrangement; and an
ejector arrangement being configured and disposed to eject
container caps not in the predetermined orientation, upon said
sensing arrangement detecting a container cap not in the
predetermined orientation passing by said sensing arrangement.
11. The capping machine according to claim 10, wherein said capping
machine comprises a first blocking device: disposed downstream of
said sensing arrangement in a direction of transport; disposed
upstream of said ejector arrangement in a direction of transport;
and configured to block said conveyor channel.
12. The capping machine according to claim 11, wherein: said
capping machine comprises a control unit configured and disposed:
to receive signals from said sensor relating to the orientation of
container caps; and to send signals to said ejector arrangement to
eject container caps not in the predetermined orientation, upon
said sensing arrangement detecting a container cap not in the
predetermined orientation; said first blocking device is configured
to be controlled by said control unit; and said first blocking
device is further configured to open and close said conveyor
channel.
13. The capping machine according to claim 12, wherein said first
blocking device is further configured to block said conveyor
channel upon a container cap not in the predetermined orientation
being ejected.
14. The capping machine according to claim 13, wherein said capping
machine further comprises a second blocking device: disposed on
said conveyor channel; disposed downstream of said ejector
arrangement in a direction of transport; being configured to permit
caps in the predetermined orientation to pass through said conveyor
channel; and being configured to restrict caps not in the
predetermined orientation from passing through said conveyor
channel.
15. The capping machine according to claim 14, wherein said capping
machine further comprises at least one additional sensing
arrangement: disposed downstream of said second blocking device in
a direction of transport; and configured to detect an interruption
of the movement of container caps.
16. The capping machine according to claim 15, wherein: said
ejector arrangement comprises at least one discharge or ejector
element; said at least one discharge or ejector element is
configured to be actuated by said control unit.
17. The capping machine according to claim 16, wherein: said
capping machine further comprises an electrically controllable
drive element configured to be actuated by said control unit; said
ejector arrangement further comprises an ejector or diverter
configured to be actuated by said electrically controllable drive
element; and said electrically controllable drive element further
comprises an electro-mechanical drive element configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
18. The capping machine according to claim 17, wherein said ejector
arrangement further comprises at least one nozzle configured to
permit a discharge of a vapor and/or gas medium under pressure to
blow out container caps not in the predetermined orientation; and
said ejector arrangement is further configured to permit a
controlled discharge of compressed air.
19. The capping machine according to claim 18, wherein said second
blocking device comprises a star wheel configured to project into
said conveyor channel.
20. The capping machine according to claim 19, wherein: said
sorting unit comprises an outlet; said conveyor channel comprises
an inlet configured to connect to said outlet of said sorting unit;
and said sorting unit is configured to accept container caps from
an unorganized supply.
Description
CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/007206, filed on
Aug. 16, 2007, which claims priority from Federal Republic of
Germany Patent Application No. 10 2006 039 091.1, filed on Aug. 19,
2006. International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/007206 was
pending as of the filing date of this application. The United
States was an elected state in International Patent Application No.
PCT/EP2007/007206.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present application relates to a capping machine in a
beverage bottling plant configured to cap beverage bottles with
beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps and a
capping machine configured to cap containers with container
caps.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Background information is for informational purposes only
and does not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned
information and publications are prior art.
[0006] Devices for the feeding of cap-type closures, including
cap-type closures that are realized in the form of screw caps, to
capping machines or to the cap transport mechanisms of such capping
machines for the capping of bottles or similar containers are known
in a wide variety of realizations. Basically, devices of this type
comprise a feed or conveyor channel, the cross section of which is
adapted to the shape of the closures, i.e. it can be realized in a
rectangular shape, for example, so that the closures are oriented
in the conveyor channel with their closure axis perpendicular or
substantially perpendicular to the direction of conveyance and can
thereby be in one of two orientations, and for example one
orientation which is correct for the processing of the closures in
which the cap-type closures are oriented with their open side
facing a first side of the conveyor channel, and an incorrect
orientation which is not usable for the further processing, in
which the cap-type closures are oriented with their open side
facing a second side of the conveyor channel which is opposite the
first side.
[0007] The closures reach the conveyor channel after traveling
through a sorting unit. In this sorting unit, the closures are
oriented so that almost all of the closures that are transferred to
the conveyor channel are already in the correct orientation.
Nevertheless, it is inevitable that a very small number of closures
will get into the conveyor channel in the incorrect
orientation.
[0008] To prevent, restrict, and/or minimize errors in the closing
or capping of the containers, on some devices a blocking device is
provided on the respective conveyor channel, in the form of a star
wheel, for example, which allows correctly oriented closures to
pass but blocks the conveyor channel for incorrectly oriented
closures, although it also blocks the conveyor channel for all or
substantially all or most of the subsequent closures, which
inevitably results in a production shutdown. The incorrectly
oriented closures must or should then be removed manually from the
conveyor channel. This procedure requires or desires manual
activity and is relatively time consuming, which is undesirable in
industrial operations.
OBJECT OR OBJECTS
[0009] An object of the present application is to describe a device
for the feeding of cap-type closures, and thereby of screw cap
closures in one possible embodiment, to a capping machine which
overcomes the disadvantages described above. The present
application teaches that this object is accomplished by the
apparatus for the feeding of cap-type closures, in particular screw
caps to a capping machine, with at least one conveyor channel which
has a cross section that matches the shape of the caps so that the
caps are oriented in this conveyor channel with their cap axis
perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of
transport in an orientation imposed by the cross section of the
conveyor channel. The apparatus also comprises means for the
discharge or ejection from the conveyor channel of caps that are
not in the necessary or desired orientation for their further
processing. On the conveyor channel, there is at least one sensor
which detects the orientation of the caps, and downstream of said
sensor in the direction of transport, there is a discharge or
ejector station which is activated by an electronic control device
as a function of the sensor signal from the at least one sensor for
a discharge or ejection of an incorrectly oriented cap.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present application relates to an apparatus for the
feeding of caps to a capping machine.
[0011] This present application relates to an apparatus for the
feeding of cap-type closures, in one possible embodiment screw
caps, to a capping machine, with at least one conveyor channel
which has a cross section that matches the shape of the caps so
that the caps are oriented in this conveyor channel with their cap
axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction
of transport in an orientation imposed by the cross section of the
conveyor channel. The apparatus also comprises means for the
discharge or ejection from the conveyor channel of caps that are
not in the necessary or desired orientation for their further
processing.
[0012] On the apparatus according to the present application, on
which the cross section of the conveyor channel is in one possible
embodiment designed so that the closures in this channel can be in
one of two possible orientations with reference to their closure
axis, the closures are monitored as they pass at least one main
sensor that is provided on the conveyor channel and interacts with
an electronic control device (e.g. a computer). Incorrectly
oriented closures are ejected or discharged from the conveyor
channel in a controlled manner by the electronic control device to
a discharge or ejector station.
[0013] With the at least one main sensor, the open side or the
closed side of the cap-type closures is monitored as a criterion
for the correct orientation of the cap-type closures. To achieve
the highest possible or optimum reliability, the at least one main
sensor and/or the associated control device are realized, for
example, so that whenever a correctly oriented closure passes the
main sensor, it sends a confirmation to the control device by means
of a corresponding control signal, and on the basis of this
confirmation, the control device does not activate the discharge or
ejection station, while if this confirmation is not received, the
outward transfer or ejection station is activated.
[0014] In one possible embodiment of the present application, a
fast and simple discharge or ejection of incorrectly oriented
closures is possible, so that the capping machine does not need to
be shut down or a shut down is not desired, and production does not
need to be interrupted or interruption is not desired.
[0015] In one possible embodiment of the present application, up to
70,000 bottles per hour are to be capped, which means that the
feeder systems must be able or should be able to handle this number
of units. It should be noted that generally, no redundant equipment
is provided.
[0016] In one possible embodiment of the present application with a
direct electrical or opto-electrical detection, the speed of the
caps in the conveyor flow is increased further. Greater numbers of
items can be transported without any or many disruptions.
[0017] In at least one possible embodiment of the present
application, the cap-type closures are crown caps or screw caps for
beverage bottles or for other containers.
[0018] The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention
will be described further herein below. When the word "invention"
or "embodiment of the invention" is used in this specification, the
word "invention" or "embodiment of the invention" includes
"inventions" or "embodiments of the invention", that is the plural
of "invention" or "embodiment of the invention". By stating
"invention" or "embodiment of the invention", the Applicant does
not in any way admit that the present application does not include
more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and
maintains that this application may include more than one
patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant
hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include
more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than
one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and
non-obvious one with respect to the other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Developments of the present application are described below.
The present application is explained in greater detail below with
reference to one possible embodiment which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a very schematic illustration of the device for
the feeding of screw caps to a capping machine (screw capper);
[0021] FIG. 1A shows another possible embodiment of the device of
the present application for the feeding of correctly oriented caps
to a capping machine;
[0022] FIG. 1B shows another possible embodiment of the device of
the present application with a counter;
[0023] FIG. 1C shows another possible embodiment of the device of
the present application in addition with counters;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a very schematic illustration of a discharge or
ejector station;
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a portion of the feed channel, together with a
blocking device formed by a star wheel;
[0026] FIG. 4 shows schematically the main components of one
possible embodiment example of a system for filling containers,
specifically, a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with at
least one liquid beverage, in accordance with at least one possible
embodiment, in which system or plant could possibly be utilized at
least one aspect, or several aspects, of the embodiments disclosed
herein; and
[0027] FIG. 5 shows the device of the present application in use
with a cap treatment machine and a capping machine.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The apparatus which is designated 1 in general in the
figures is used for the feeding of cap-type screw caps 2 made of
metal and/or plastic to a capping machine (screw capper), which is
not shown, for the installation of the screw caps 2 on bottles or
similar containers, which are also not shown, by screwing them
on.
[0029] In at least another possible embodiment of the present
application, the cap-type closures 2 may be crown caps 2. Other
types of closures 2 are also possible for use with the cap feeder 1
of the present application.
[0030] The apparatus 1 essentially comprises a sorting unit 3 which
receives screw caps 2 in an unorganized quantity from a supply,
whereby the sorting unit 3 can be realized, for example, in the
form of a bowl-type vibratory feeder 4 which forms a helical feed
path 5 for the screw caps 2 on the interior of a vibrating bowl 4
with baffles or alternatively as a rotating drum 4, so that the
screw caps are delivered sorted and with their open side 2.1 in a
specified orientation into a conveyor channel 3, the interior cross
section of which matches that of the screw caps 2 so that the screw
caps are oriented with their closure VA perpendicular or virtually
perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the conveyor channel
6 and with respect to the direction of transport A, and form a
single-file row in this conveyor channel 6. The conveyor channel,
which can have a rectangular interior cross section, for example,
extends from the sorting unit 3 downward in the vertical direction
and extends with its lower end 6.1 to the capper or to a closure
transfer mechanism which is located at the capper, with which the
screw caps 2 are placed on the containers (e.g. bottles) to be
closed.
[0031] In the possible embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the
sorting unit 3 and the conveyor channel 6 are realized so that the
screw caps 2 which are correctly oriented or in the predetermined
orientation for the subsequent capping are oriented with their open
side 2.1 oriented to the left in the position illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0032] In one possible embodiment of the present application, even
at high rates of production of up to 70,000 screw caps 2 processed
per hour, it is inevitable that a few isolated screw caps 2a will
reach the conveyor channel 6 in an incorrect orientation, whereby
these incorrectly oriented closures or closures not in the
predetermined orientation, on account of the rectangular interior
cross section of the conveyor channel 6, are then oriented with the
open side oriented toward the right in the illustration in FIG. 1,
as shown for the cap 2a.
[0033] Although the error rate in terms of incorrectly oriented
screw caps 2a is very low even when the capping machine is operated
for a relatively long period, i.e. at a production rate of 70,000
screw caps per hour and an operating cycle of eight hours, the
error rate is on the order of 0.5 and 16 incorrectly oriented screw
caps 2a, these screw caps 2a cause disruptions in the capping of
the containers, which has a negative effect on the total output of
the plant. It may therefore be necessary or desired to remove or
eject incorrectly oriented screw caps 2a from the conveyor channel
6 before they reach the capping machine.
[0034] This removal takes place fully automatically during the
feeding of the screw caps 1. For this purpose, on the conveyor
channel 6, downstream of the sorting device 3 in the direction of
transport A, a main sensor is provided which monitors the screw
caps 2 that are moving past this sensor with reference to their
orientation, for example so that this sensor 7 detects the open
side of these caps 2.1 on correctly oriented screw caps 2 and
interacts with an electronic control device 8.
[0035] Located on the conveyor channel 6, for example, downstream
of the sensor 7 in the direction of transport A, there is a first
blocking device 9 with which the stream of screw caps 2 which is
continuously or substantially continuously flowing from the sorting
unit 3 into the conveyor channel and flowing downward in the
conveyor channel 6 is blocked or can be interrupted by a control
signal from the electronic control device 8, for example for the
discharge or ejection of an incorrectly oriented screw cap 2a.
[0036] Downstream of the blocking device 9 in the direction of
transport A, there is a discharge or ejector station 10 which is
actuated by the control device 8 for the ejection of incorrectly
oriented screw caps 2a. The ejected screw caps 2a are collected in
a collector, for example, and returned to the sorting unit 3.
[0037] Downstream of the ejector station 10 in the direction of
transport A, there is a second blocking device 11 which is in one
possible embodiment realized so that it allows or permits the
correctly oriented screw caps 2 to pass but blocks the conveyor
channel 6 to prevent, restrict, and/or minimize the passage of any
remaining screw caps 2a that may be incorrectly oriented, so that
such incorrectly oriented screw caps 2a can then be removed
manually before the caps not in the predetermined orientation reach
the capping machine.
[0038] Downstream of the blocking device 11 in the direction of
transport A is an additional sensor 12 which monitors the presence
of screw caps 2 in the conveyor channel 6 via the electronic
control device 8, for example, and causes the generation of an
error signal, e.g. of an optical and/or acoustical error signal if
there are no screw caps 2 in the conveyor channel 6 in the vicinity
of the sensor 12. This can be the case if, among other things, the
blocking device 11 holds back an incorrectly oriented cap 2a and
thus also holds up the flow of the screw caps 2 that are behind it
in the conveyor channel 6.
[0039] The sensor 7 can be, for example, a mechanical sensor which
scans the screw caps 2 as they move past it, and/or an
opto-electronic sensor such as a photoelectric barrier, for
example, or a camera system of an image processing system that has
at least one camera, in which the image taken of the individual
screw cap 2 that is moving past the sensor 7 is compared with a
reference image. In each case, when the screw cap 2 is in the
correct orientation, the sensor 7 sends a corresponding signal to
the electronic control unit 8 (e.g. a computer) which prevents,
restricts, and/or minimizes an ejection of the screw cap at the
ejector station 10. If the screw caps 2a are incorrectly oriented,
the sensor 7 sends a signal to the control device 8 which effects
the ejection of these screw caps. To determine the correct position
of each screw cap 2 and thereby in one possible embodiment also the
position of the incorrectly oriented screw caps 2a in the conveyor
channel 6 and to eject the incorrectly oriented screw caps 2a with
a high degree of reliability, each screw cap 2 or 2a is detected as
it passes the sensor 7 for example by this sensor or an additional
sensor located there and by a sensor 13 of the discharge or ejector
station 10.
[0040] FIG. 1A shows another possible embodiment of the present
application. The sensor 7 is immediately upstream or generally
before the ejector station 10 in the direction of transport A. The
sensor 7 detects the orientation of the caps 2, 2a passing by. When
an incorrectly oriented cap 2a passes by the sensor 7, the sensor 7
sends a signal to the control unit or control device 8. The control
unit 8 then sends a signal to the ejector station 10 to eject the
incorrectly oriented cap 2a.
[0041] In another possible embodiment, the sensor 7 sends a signal
to the control unit 8 when a correctly oriented cap 2 passes by the
sensor 7 on the conveyor channel 6. When an incorrectly oriented
cap 2a passes by the sensor 7, the sensor 7 does not send a signal
to the control device 8. The control device 8 then sends a signal
to the ejector station 10 to eject the incorrectly oriented cap
2a.
[0042] FIG. 1B is another illustration of a similar embodiment to
that seen in FIG. 1A. In this embodiment of FIG. 1B, a counter 20
is disposed on the conveyor channel above the sensor 7. The counter
20 counts the number of caps 2, 2a that pass by and then sends a
signal to the control device 8 with the number of caps 2, 2a
passing by. The sensor 7 detects the orientation of the caps 2, 2a
passing by. When an incorrectly oriented cap 2a passes by the
sensor 7, the sensor 7 sends a signal to the control unit or
control device 8. The control unit 8 then sends a signal to the
ejector station 10 to eject the incorrectly oriented cap 2a. In a
similar embodiment, the sensor 7 also acts as a counter.
[0043] FIG. 1C shows another embodiment of the present application.
In this embodiment, the device comprises two counters 20 and 21.
The first counter 20, disposed further from the sensor 7 than the
second counter 21, counts the number of caps 2, 2a that pass by and
then sends a signal to the control device 8 with the number of caps
2, 2a passing by. The second sensor 21, which is disposed
immediately upstream or generally before the ejector station 10 in
the direction of transport A, also counts the number of caps 2, 2a
passing by and then sends a signal to the control device 8. The
control unit 8 can then compute the number of caps 2, 2a passing by
and thereby also the rate at which the caps 2, 2a are moving. Then,
when the sensor 7 detects an incorrectly oriented cap 2a and sends
a signal to the control device 8, the control device 8 sends a
signal to the ejector device or station 10 as that incorrectly
oriented cap 2a is about to pass through the ejector station 10.
The ejector station 10 activates and the incorrectly oriented cap
2a is ejected from the conveyor channel 6.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the discharge or
ejector station 10. This station essentially comprises an ejector
14, which can pivot, for example, and which is activated by the
control device 8, for example electromechanically by means of an
electromagnet 15 and which effects the ejection of the incorrectly
oriented screw caps 2a as well as a lateral opening of the conveyor
channel 6.
[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the length of
the conveyor channel that is downstream in the direction of
transport A of the discharge or ejector station 10 in the vicinity
of the blocking device 11 a and of the sensor 12 that is downstream
of this blocking device in the direction of transport A. In this
embodiment the blocking device 11 is realized in the form of a star
wheel 16 which can rotate freely on the conveyor channel which is
realized in the form of a grid, and which extends with a portion of
its circumference into the interior of the conveyor channel 6 such
that the projections 16.1 of the star wheel 16, as the correctly
oriented screw caps 2 pass, are engaged in the manner of a gear
wheel in the open side 2.1 of the screw caps 2 which are lined up
close behind one another as the star wheel 16 rotates, while such
an engagement is not possible with an incorrectly oriented screw
cap 2a, as a result of which the conveyor channel 6 is blocked for
such a cap and the screw caps 2 that are behind it in the direction
of transport. In the illustrated possible embodiment, the two
sensors 12 and 13 are each realized in the form of photoelectric
barriers.
[0046] The functioning of the cap feed system or apparatus 1 has
already been described above, i.e. as long as correctly oriented
screw caps 2 get into the conveyor channel 6, they are transported
to the output 6.1 of the conveyor channel 6.
[0047] Each incorrectly oriented cap 2a is detected by the sensor 7
and then, under the control of the control device 8, it is
discharged or ejected as a result of the activation of the
discharge or ejector station 10. Before the discharge or ejection,
for example, the flow of screw caps 2 in the direction of transport
A is blocked by the blocking device behind the incorrectly oriented
screw cap 2a that is to be ejected. After the discharge or ejection
of the incorrectly oriented cap 2a, the blocking device 9 is
immediately or quickly reopened so that the screw caps 2 are then
again transported continuously to the capping machine.
[0048] Incorrectly oriented screw caps 2a that are not ejected are
in any case held back at the blocking device 11 and are removed
manually. The continuous flow of the screw caps 2 is monitored by
the sensor 12. If this flow is interrupted, the signal from the
sensor 12 produces an error signal which triggers and optical
and/or acoustical alarm as well as optionally a shutdown of the
capping machine.
[0049] The internal cross section of the conveyor channel 6 is
intentionally designed so that it fits the screw caps 2 in the
correct orientation as well as for the screw caps 2a in the
incorrect orientation, so that the screw caps 2a can be discharged
or ejected from the conveyor channel 6 without clogging it up, or
can be removed at the blocking device 11.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows schematically the main components of one
possible embodiment example of a system for filling containers,
specifically, a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with at
least one liquid beverage, in accordance with at least one possible
embodiment, in which system or plant could possibly be utilized at
least one aspect, or several aspects, of the embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0051] FIG. 4 shows a rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101,
to which the containers, namely bottles 130, are fed in the
direction of travel as indicated by the arrow 131, by a first
conveyer arrangement 103, which can be a linear conveyor or a
combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel. Downstream of the
rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101, in the direction of
travel as indicated by the arrow 131, the rinsed bottles 130 are
transported to a beverage filling machine 105 by a second conveyer
arrangement 104 that is formed, for example, by one or more
starwheels that introduce bottles 130 into the beverage filling
machine 105.
[0052] The beverage filling machine 105 shown is of a revolving or
rotary design, with a rotor 105', which revolves around a central,
vertical machine axis. The rotor 105' is designed to receive and
hold the bottles 130 for filling at a plurality of filling
positions 113 located about the periphery of the rotor 105'. At
each of the filling positions 103 is located a filling arrangement
114 having at least one filling device, element, apparatus, or
valve. The filling arrangements 114 are designed to introduce a
predetermined volume or amount of liquid beverage into the interior
of the bottles 130 to a predetermined or desired level.
[0053] The filling arrangements 114 receive the liquid beverage
material from a toroidal or annular vessel 117, in which a supply
of liquid beverage material is stored under pressure by a gas. The
toroidal vessel 117 is a component, for example, of the revolving
rotor 105'. The toroidal vessel 117 can be connected by means of a
rotary coupling or a coupling that permits rotation. The toroidal
vessel 117 is also connected to at least one external reservoir or
supply of liquid beverage material by a conduit or supply line. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there are two external supply
reservoirs 123 and 124, each of which is configured to store either
the same liquid beverage product or different products. These
reservoirs 123, 124 are connected to the toroidal or annular vessel
117 by corresponding supply lines, conduits, or arrangements 121
and 122. The external supply reservoirs 123, 124 could be in the
form of simple storage tanks, or in the form of liquid beverage
product mixers, in at least one possible embodiment.
[0054] As well as the more typical filling machines having one
toroidal vessel, it is possible that in at least one possible
embodiment there could be a second toroidal or annular vessel which
contains a second product. In this case, each filling arrangement
114 could be connected by separate connections to each of the two
toroidal vessels and have two individually-controllable fluid or
control valves, so that in each bottle 130, the first product or
the second product can be filled by means of an appropriate control
of the filling product or fluid valves.
[0055] Downstream of the beverage filling machine 105, in the
direction of travel of the bottles 130, there can be a beverage
bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 which closes or
caps the bottles 130. The beverage bottle closing arrangement or
closing station 106 can be connected by a third conveyer
arrangement 107 to a beverage bottle labeling arrangement or
labeling station 108. The third conveyor arrangement may be formed,
for example, by a plurality of starwheels, or may also include a
linear conveyor device.
[0056] In at least one possible embodiment of the present
application, the beverage bottle closing arrangement or closing
station 106 comprises the cap feeder of the present
application.
[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage bottle labeling
arrangement or labeling station 108 has at least one labeling unit,
device, or module, for applying labels to bottles 130. In the
embodiment shown, the labeling arrangement 108 is connected by a
starwheel conveyer structure to three output conveyer arrangements:
a first output conveyer arrangement 109, a second output conveyer
arrangement 110, and a third output conveyer arrangement 111, all
of which convey filled, closed, and labeled bottles 130 to
different locations.
[0058] The first output conveyer arrangement 109, in the embodiment
shown, is designed to convey bottles 130 that are filled with a
first type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply
reservoir 123. The second output conveyer arrangement 110, in the
embodiment shown, is designed to convey bottles 130 that are filled
with a second type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the
supply reservoir 124. The third output conveyer arrangement 111, in
the embodiment shown, is designed to convey incorrectly labeled
bottles 130. To further explain, the labeling arrangement 108 can
comprise at least one beverage bottle inspection or monitoring
device that inspects or monitors the location of labels on the
bottles 130 to determine if the labels have been correctly placed
or aligned on the bottles 130. The third output conveyer
arrangement 111 removes any bottles 130 which have been incorrectly
labeled as determined by the inspecting device.
[0059] The beverage bottling plant can be controlled by a central
control arrangement 112, which could be, for example, computerized
control system that monitors and controls the operation of the
various stations and mechanisms of the beverage bottling plant.
[0060] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the cap feeder 1 of the
present application, in combination with a closure treatment
machine 50 and a capping machine 51. The correctly oriented caps 2,
after moving through the conveyor channel 6, are transferred to a
treatment machine 50. The treatment machine 50 is configure to
clean and/or treat and/or sterilize the correctly oriented cap-type
closures 2. Once the caps 2 are sufficiently treated in the
treatment machine 50, the treated caps 2 are then transferred to a
capping machine 51. The capping machine 51 is configured to place
the caps 2 on filled beverage bottles or filled containers and
sufficiently seal the bottles as desired.
[0061] The present application was described above on the basis of
one possible embodiment. It goes without saying that numerous
modifications and variations can be made without thereby going
beyond the teaching of the present application.
[0062] For example, it is possible in one possible embodiment to
realize the discharge or ejector station 10 other than in the
manner described above, for example so that incorrectly oriented
screw caps 2a are removed from the conveyor channel 6 by a blast of
air or transported in a helical direction which can be formed by a
reversing device, for example, so that the initially incorrectly
oriented screw caps 2a are in the correct orientation after they
pass through the reversing device, and are delivered to the capping
machine, for example via a buffer, together with the screw caps 2
that were correctly oriented from the outset.
[0063] Apparatus for the feeding of cap-type closures, in one
possible embodiment screw caps, to a capping machine, with at least
one conveyor channel which has a cross section that matches the
shape of the caps so that the caps are oriented in this conveyor
channel with their cap axis perpendicular or virtually
perpendicular to the direction of transport in an orientation
imposed by the cross section of the conveyor channel, and by means
for the discharge or ejection from the conveyor channel of caps
that are not in the necessary or desired orientation for their
further processing.
[0064] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in an apparatus for the feeding of cap-type closures, in
one possible embodiment screw caps 2, 2a to a capping machine, with
at least one conveyor channel 6 which has a cross section that
matches the shape of the caps 2 so that the caps are oriented in
this conveyor channel with their cap axis VA perpendicular or
virtually perpendicular to the direction of transport A in an
orientation imposed by the cross section of the conveyor channel 6,
and by means for the discharge or ejection from the conveyor
channel 6 of caps that are not in the necessary or desired
orientation for their further processing, wherein on the conveyor
channel 6 there is at least one sensor 7 which detects the
orientation of the caps 2, 2a and downstream of said sensor in the
direction of transport A there is a discharge or ejector station 10
which is activated by an electronic control device 8 as a function
of the sensor signal from the at least one sensor 7 for a discharge
or ejection of an incorrectly oriented cap 2a.
[0065] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the sensor 7 is realized
so that it detects the presence of an open side 2.1 and/or a closed
side of the cap-type closures 2, 2a.
[0066] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the sensor 7 is a
mechanical sensor.
[0067] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the sensor 7 is an
electrical sensor, e.g. an opto-electrical sensor, e.g. in the form
of a photoelectric barrier, an infrared distance meter and/or of an
image processing system that has at least one camera.
[0068] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein downstream of the at least
one sensor 7 and upstream of the discharge or ejector station 10
there is a blocking device 9 to block the conveyor channel 6.
[0069] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the first blocking device
9 can be controlled by the control device 8 to open and close the
conveyor channel 6.
[0070] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the first blocking device
9 can be controlled by the control device 8 so that it blocks the
conveyor channel 6 when an incorrectly oriented cap 2a is being
discharged or ejected.
[0071] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein downstream of the
discharge or ejector station 10 in the direction of transport A of
the conveyor channel 6, a blocking device 11 is provided which
allows the correctly oriented caps 2 to pass and blocks the
conveyor channel 6 for incorrectly oriented caps 2a.
[0072] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, comprising at least one auxiliary
sensor 12 downstream of the blocking device 11 in the direction of
transport A to detect an interruption of the flow of caps 2.
[0073] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in the apparatus, wherein at least one discharge or ejector
element that can be actuated by the control device 8 is provided on
the discharge or ejector station 10.
[0074] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the discharge or ejector
station 10 has an ejector or diverter 14 which can be actuated by
an electrically controllable drive element, for example by an
electromechanical drive element 15 by means of the control device
8.
[0075] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein on the discharge or
ejector station 10 there is at least one nozzle for the controlled
discharge of a vapor and/or gas medium under pressure, for example
for a controlled discharge of compressed air to blow out
incorrectly oriented caps 2a.
[0076] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the blocking device 11
downstream of the discharge or ejector station 10 is formed by a
star wheel 6 which projects into the conveyor channel 6.
[0077] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the apparatus, wherein the conveyor channel is
connected with an inlet to the outlet of a sorting unit 3 by means
of which the caps 2, 2a are fed to the conveyor channel 6 from an
unorganized supply.
[0078] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in an apparatus for the feeding of cap-type
closures, in one possible embodiment screw caps 2, 2a to a capping
machine, with at least one conveyor channel 6 which has a cross
section that matches the shape of the caps 2 so that the caps are
oriented in this conveyor channel with their cap axis VA
perpendicular or virtually perpendicular to the direction of
transport A in an orientation imposed by the cross section of the
conveyor channel 6, and at least one sensor 7 and means for the
discharge or ejection from the conveyor channel 6 of caps that are
not in the necessary or desired orientation for their further
processing, whereby the sensor 7 is realized so that with it the
presence of an open side 2.1 and/or a closed side of the cap-type
closures 2, 2a is detected, wherein, on the conveyor channel 6
there is at least one sensor 7 which directly detects the
orientation of the closures 2, 2a, and downstream of said sensor in
the direction of transport A there is a discharge or ejector
station 10 which is activated by an electronic control device 8 as
a function of the sensor signal from the at least one sensor 7 for
a discharge or ejection of an incorrectly oriented cap 2a, whereby
the sensor 7 is an electrical sensor, e.g. an opto-electrical
sensor, e.g. in the form of a photoelectric barrier, an infrared
distance meter and/or of an image processing system that has at
least one camera.
[0079] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in a capping machine in a beverage bottling plant
configured to cap beverage bottles with beverage bottle crown caps
or beverage bottle screw caps, said capping machine comprising: a
sorting unit being configured and disposed to orient the open sides
of beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps with a
predetermined orientation for the capping of beverage bottles; a
conveyor channel comprising a conveyor channel output; said
conveyor channel being configured and disposed to permit movement
of beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps from
said sorting unit to said conveyor channel output; said conveyor
channel being configured to move beverage bottle crown caps or
beverage bottle screw caps on their rounded exterior side surfaces;
a sensor being disposed adjacent to at least a portion of said
conveyor channel and being configured and disposed to detect the
orientation of beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw
caps, upon beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps
moving down said conveyor channel and passing said sensor; an
ejector station being disposed on said conveyor channel downstream
of said sensor and being configured and disposed to eject beverage
bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps not in the
predetermined orientation, upon said sensor detecting an beverage
bottle crown cap or beverage bottle screw cap not in the
predetermined orientation passing by said sensor; and a control
unit being configured and disposed to receive signals from said
sensor relating to the orientation of beverage bottle crown caps or
beverage bottle screw caps and being further configured and
disposed to send signals to said ejector station to eject beverage
bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps not in the
predetermined orientation, upon said sensor detecting an beverage
bottle crown cap or beverage bottle screw cap not in the
predetermined orientation.
[0080] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said capping machine
comprises a first blocking device: disposed downstream of said
sensor in a direction of transport; disposed upstream of said
ejector station in a direction of transport; and configured to
block said conveyor channel.
[0081] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said first blocking
device is configured to be controlled by said control unit; and
said first blocking device is further configured to open and close
said conveyor channel.
[0082] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said first blocking
device is further configured to block said conveyor channel upon a
beverage bottle crown cap or beverage bottle screw cap not in the
predetermined orientation being ejected.
[0083] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said capping machine
further comprises a second blocking device: disposed on said
conveyor channel; disposed downstream of said ejector station in a
direction of transport; being configured to permit beverage bottle
crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps in the predetermined
orientation to pass through said conveyor channel; and being
configured to restrict beverage bottle crown caps or beverage
bottle screw caps not in the predetermined orientation from passing
through said conveyor channel.
[0084] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said capping machine
further comprises at least one additional sensor: disposed
downstream of said second blocking device in a direction of
transport; and configured to detect an interruption of the movement
of beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps.
[0085] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said ejector
station comprises at least one discharge or ejector element; and
said at least one discharge or ejector element is configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
[0086] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said capping
machine further comprises an electrically controllable drive
element configured to be actuated by said control unit; said
ejector arrangement further comprises an ejector or diverter
configured to be actuated by said electrically controllable drive
element; and said electrically controllable drive element further
comprises an electromechanical drive element configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
[0087] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said ejector station
further comprises at least one nozzle configured to permit a
discharge of a vapor and/or gas medium under pressure to blow out
beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle screw caps not in the
predetermined orientation; said ejector station is further
configured to permit a controlled discharge of compressed air; said
second blocking device comprises a star wheel configured to project
into said conveyor channel; said sorting unit comprises an outlet;
said conveyor channel comprises an inlet configured to connect to
said outlet of said sorting unit; and said sorting unit is
configured to accept beverage bottle crown caps or beverage bottle
screw caps from an unorganized supply.
[0088] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in a capping machine in a configured to cap containers with
container caps, said capping machine comprising: a sorting unit
being configured and disposed to orient the open sides of
containers caps with a predetermined orientation for the capping of
containers; a conveyor channel comprising a conveyor channel
output; said conveyor channel being configured and disposed to
permit movement of container caps from said sorting unit to said
conveyor channel output; said conveyor channel being configured to
move container caps on their rounded exterior side surfaces; a
sensing arrangement being configured and disposed to detect the
orientation of containers caps, upon container caps moving down
said conveyor channel and passing said sensing arrangement; and an
ejector arrangement being configured and disposed to eject
container caps not in the predetermined orientation, upon said
sensing arrangement detecting a container cap not in the
predetermined orientation passing by said sensing arrangement.
[0089] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said capping machine
comprises a first blocking device: disposed downstream of said
sensing arrangement in a direction of transport; disposed upstream
of said ejector arrangement in a direction of transport; and
configured to block said conveyor channel.
[0090] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said capping
machine comprises a control unit configured and disposed: to
receive signals from said sensor relating to the orientation of
container caps; and to send signals to said ejector arrangement to
eject container caps not in the predetermined orientation, upon
said sensing arrangement detecting a container cap not in the
predetermined orientation; said first blocking device is configured
to be controlled by said control unit; and said first blocking
device is further configured to open and close said conveyor
channel.
[0091] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said first blocking
device is further configured to block said conveyor channel upon a
container cap not in the predetermined orientation being
ejected.
[0092] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said capping machine
further comprises a second blocking device: disposed on said
conveyor channel; disposed downstream of said ejector arrangement
in a direction of transport; being configured to permit caps in the
predetermined orientation to pass through said conveyor channel;
and being configured to restrict caps not in the predetermined
orientation from passing through said conveyor channel.
[0093] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said capping machine
further comprises at least one additional sensing arrangement:
disposed downstream of said second blocking device in a direction
of transport; and configured to detect an interruption of the
movement of container caps.
[0094] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said ejector
arrangement comprises at least one discharge or ejector element;
said at least one discharge or ejector element is configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
[0095] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said capping
machine further comprises an electrically controllable drive
element configured to be actuated by said control unit; said
ejector arrangement further comprises an ejector or diverter
configured to be actuated by said electrically controllable drive
element; and said electrically controllable drive element further
comprises an electromechanical drive element configured to be
actuated by said control unit.
[0096] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said ejector
arrangement further comprises at least one nozzle configured to
permit a discharge of a vapor and/or gas medium under pressure to
blow out container caps not in the predetermined orientation; and
said ejector arrangement is further configured to permit a
controlled discharge of compressed air.
[0097] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein said second blocking
device comprises a star wheel configured to project into said
conveyor channel.
[0098] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the capping machine, wherein: said sorting unit
comprises an outlet; said conveyor channel comprises an inlet
configured to connect to said outlet of said sorting unit; and said
sorting unit is configured to accept container caps from an
unorganized supply.
[0099] The components disclosed in the various publications,
disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used
in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as
equivalents thereof.
[0100] The purpose of the statements about the technical field is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The description of the technical field is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the technical field of this patent application.
However, the description of the technical field may not be
completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this
patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent
application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from
this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to
the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any
manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any
manner.
[0101] The appended drawings in their entirety, including all
dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of
the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference
into this specification.
[0102] The background information is believed, at the time of the
filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background
information for this patent application. However, the background
information may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the background information are not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0103] All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of
the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or
all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described
herein.
[0104] The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The description of the object or objects is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the object or objects of this patent
application. However, the description of the object or objects may
not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in
this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this
patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing
from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made
relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the
claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the
claims in any manner.
[0105] All of the patents, patent applications and publications
recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby
incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety
herein.
[0106] The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this
patent application, to adequately summarize this patent
application. However, portions or all of the information contained
in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit
the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting
the claims in any manner.
[0107] It will be understood that the examples of patents,
published patent applications, and other documents which are
included in this application and which are referred to in
paragraphs which state "Some examples of . . . which may possibly
be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present
application . . . " may possibly not be used or useable in any one
or more embodiments of the application.
[0108] The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published
patent applications and other documents either incorporated by
reference or not incorporated by reference.
[0109] Some examples of methods and apparatuses for closing bottles
and containers and their components that may possibly be utilized
or possibly adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of
the present application may possibly be found in the following U.S.
Pat. No. 5,398,485 issued to Osifchin on Mar. 21, 1995; No.
5,402,623 issued to Ahlers on Apr. 4, 1995; No. 5,419,094 issued to
Vander Bush, Jr. et al. on May 30, 1995; No. 5,425,402 issued to
Pringle on Jun. 20, 1995; No. 5,447,246 issued to Finke on Sep. 5,
1995; No. 5,449,080 issued to Finke on Sep. 12, 1995; No.
4,389,833, having the title "bottle closing machine having bottle
neck washing arrangement;" No. 4,205,502, having the title "rotary
bottle closing machine;" No. 6,484,477, having the title "capping
machine for capping and closing containers, and a method for
closing containers;" No. 6,430,896, having the title "capping
machine;" No. 5,918,442, having the title "in-line capping
machine;" No. 5,400,564, having the title "capping machine;" No.
5,669,209, having the title "in-line capping machine;" No.
7,360,345, having the title "beverage bottle cap treatment device,"
published on Apr. 22, 2008; and No. 7,089,715, having the title
"beverage bottling plant and method for filling bottles including a
treatment device for beverage container caps," published on Aug.
15, 2006.
[0110] Some examples of closing machines with the rotating sorting
drums or units and/or device is that the transfer caps from sorting
units to chutes or channels which may possibly be utilized or
adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present
application may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No.
7,353,643, having the title "SYSTEM FOR FEEDING CAPS WITH
ROTATING-DRUM ACCUMULATION DEVICE," published on Apr. 8, 2008; No.
6,105,343, having the title "APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A CAPPING
MACHINE," published on Aug. 22, 2000; No. 5,309,694, having the
title "DEVICE FOR USE WITH A CLOSURE MAGAZINE FOR INTRODUCING
CLOSURES INTO A CLOSURE CHANNEL," published on May 10, 1994; and
No. 4,558,802, having the title "CAROUSEL TYPE DISPENSER,"
published on Dec. 17, 1985.
[0111] All of the patents, patent applications or patent
publications, which were cited in the International Search Report
dated, and/or cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference
as if set forth in their entirety herein as follows: EP 0 782 888,
having the title "Device for automatically removing wrongly
oriented elements from a supply line of caps, plugs or generally
concave elements," published Jul. 9, 1997; DE 103 07 601, having
the following German title "VERTIKALE PARALLELFORDERUNG VON
DECKELVERSCHLUSSEN," published on Dec. 11, 2003; U.S. Pat. No.
6,062,395, having the title "REVERSED CONTAINER END EJECTION
SYSTEM," published May 16, 2000; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,921,
having the title, "OVERCAP SEATER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINERS,"
published Apr. 29, 1975.
[0112] The patents, patent applications, and patent publication
listed above in the immediately preceding three paragraphs,
beginning with the phrase "Some examples of methods and apparatuses
for closing bottles and containers . . . " and ending with the
phrase ". . . published Apr. 29, 1975," are herein incorporated by
reference as if set forth in their entirety. The purpose of
incorporating U.S. patents, Foreign patents, publications, etc. is
solely to provide additional information relating to technical
features of one or more embodiments, which information may not be
completely disclosed in the wording in the pages of this
application. Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the
author and not directly relating to the technical details of the
description of the embodiments therein are not incorporated by
reference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently,
preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure,
necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually,
expediently, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect,
require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and
unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the
above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe
technical features of one or more embodiments, are not considered
to be incorporated by reference herein.
[0113] The corresponding foreign and international patent
publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany
Patent Application No. 10 2006 039 091.1, filed on Aug. 19, 2006,
having inventors Lothar WILHELM and Heinz HILLMANN, and DE-OS 10
2006 039 091.1 and DE-PS 10 2006 039 091.1, and International
Application No. PCT/EP2007/007206, filed on Aug. 16, 2007, having
WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/022735 and inventors Lothar WILHELM
and Heinz HILLMANN, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein for the purpose of correcting and
explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English
translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the
above corresponding foreign and international patent publication
applications, and other equivalents or corresponding applications,
if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany
and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the
documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications
and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein.
[0114] The purpose of incorporating the Foreign equivalent patent
application PCT/EP2007/007206 and German Patent Application 10 2006
039 091.1 is solely for the purpose of providing a basis of
correction of any wording in the pages of the present application,
which may have been mistranslated or misinterpreted by the
translator. Words relating to opinions and judgments of the author
and not directly relating to the technical details of the
description of the embodiments therein are not to be incorporated
by reference. The words all, always, absolutely, consistently,
preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure,
necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually,
expediently, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect,
require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and
unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the
above-mentioned word in this sentence, when not used to describe
technical features of one or more embodiments, are not generally
considered to be incorporated by reference herein.
[0115] Statements made in the original foreign patent applications
PCT/EP2007/007206 and DE 10 2006 039 091.1 from which this patent
application claims priority which do not have to do with the
correction of the translation in this patent application are not to
be included in this patent application in the incorporation by
reference.
[0116] All of the references and documents, cited in any of the
documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if
set forth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited
herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include
all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited
anywhere in the present application.
[0117] The description of the embodiment or embodiments is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent
application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment
or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0118] The details in the patents, patent applications and
publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's
option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations
in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any
applied prior art.
[0119] The purpose of the title of this patent application is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the
filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the
general nature of this patent application. However, the title may
not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or
objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or
embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent
application, as amended during prosecution of this patent
application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from
this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to
limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as
limiting the claims in any manner.
[0120] The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as
required by 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R.
.sctn.1.72(b): [0121] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure
in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably
following the claims, under the heading "Abstract of the
Disclosure." The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly
from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical
disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the
scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the
abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and
should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0122] The embodiments of the invention described herein above in
the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as
limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided
details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments
of the invention.
AT LEAST PARTIAL NOMENCLATURE
[0123] 1 Cap feeder [0124] 2 Screw cap [0125] 2.1 Open side of the
caps [0126] 2a Incorrectly oriented screw cap [0127] 3 Sorting unit
[0128] 4 Vibrating bowl-type feeder [0129] 5 Conveyor line [0130] 6
Conveyor channel [0131] 7 Sensor [0132] 8 Electronic control
device, e.g. computer [0133] 9 Blocking device [0134] 10 Ejector
station [0135] 11 Blocking device [0136] 12 Sensor [0137] 13 Sensor
[0138] 14 Ejector [0139] 15 Magnet [0140] 16 Star wheel [0141] 16.1
Projection or tooth of the star wheel 16 [0142] A Direction of the
screw caps 2 or 2a in the conveyor channel 6 [0143] VA Cap axis
* * * * *