U.S. patent application number 12/515578 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-18 for cyclically operating machine for filling containers.
Invention is credited to Ulrich Krauss, Werner Mayer.
Application Number | 20100064631 12/515578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39092841 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100064631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krauss; Ulrich ; et
al. |
March 18, 2010 |
CYCLICALLY OPERATING MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a cyclically operating machine
for filling containers and closing them with caps. A closure
station thereof includes a cap feeder for feeding the caps to the
containers, and a sorting device for aligning and separating the
caps and transferring them to the cap feeder. The cap feeder
positions the caps individually on a respective container and
closes the container with the cap. The cap feeder is arranged such
that it can be moved back and forth, and is provided with a drive
which is designed for moving the cap feeder.
Inventors: |
Krauss; Ulrich; (Ilshofen,
DE) ; Mayer; Werner; (Wallhausen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RONALD E. GREIGG;GREIGG & GREIGG P.L.L.C.
1423 POWHATAN STREET, UNIT ONE
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
39092841 |
Appl. No.: |
12/515578 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
October 12, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP07/60911 |
371 Date: |
May 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67B 3/0645 20130101;
B65B 7/2807 20130101; B65B 7/2821 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/167 |
International
Class: |
B65B 7/28 20060101
B65B007/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 12, 2006 |
DE |
102006058752.9 |
May 22, 2007 |
DE |
102007023400.9 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A cyclically operating machine for filling containers and then
closing containers with caps, including a closure station having a
cap feeder means which delivers the caps to the containers, the
closure station having a sorting means which orients, separates,
and transfers the caps to the cap feeder, the cap feeder means
placing the caps individually each on a respective container and
closing the container with the cap, wherein the cap feeder is
disposed movably back and forth and includes a drive mechanism,
which is designed for moving the cap feeder.
14. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein the cap feeder
means is disposed on a movable slide.
15. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein the sorting means
is disposed in stationary fashion, and between the cap feeder means
and the sorting means a gap is embodied, by way of which a transfer
of the caps from the sorting means to the cap feeder means is
effected.
16. The machine as defined by claim 14, wherein the sorting means
is disposed in stationary fashion, and between the cap feeder means
and the sorting means a gap is embodied, by way of which a transfer
of the caps from the sorting means to the cap feeder means is
effected.
17. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein the sorting means
is disposed on the cap feeder means and is disposed movably back
and forth jointly with the cap feeder means.
18. The machine as defined by claim 14, wherein the sorting means
is disposed on the cap feeder means and is disposed movably back
and forth jointly with the cap feeder means.
19. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially horizontal rail region and an
essentially vertical rail region.
20. The machine as defined by claim 14, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially horizontal rail region and an
essentially vertical rail region.
21. The machine as defined by claim 15, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially horizontal rail region and an
essentially vertical rail region.
22. The machine as defined by claim 17, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially horizontal rail region and an
essentially vertical rail region.
23. The machine as defined by claim 19, wherein the cap feeder
means is disposed pivotably about a pivot point.
24. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially vertical rail region, and the
essentially vertical rail region is disposed directly on the
sorting means, in order to transfer the caps from the sorting means
directly into the essentially vertical rail region.
25. The machine as defined by claim 14, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially vertical rail region, and the
essentially vertical rail region is disposed directly on the
sorting means, in order to transfer the caps from the sorting means
directly into the essentially vertical rail region.
26. The machine as defined by claim 15, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially vertical rail region, and the
essentially vertical rail region is disposed directly on the
sorting means, in order to transfer the caps from the sorting means
directly into the essentially vertical rail region.
27. The machine as defined by claim 16, wherein the cap feeder
means includes an essentially vertical rail region, and the
essentially vertical rail region is disposed directly on the
sorting means, in order to transfer the caps from the sorting means
directly into the essentially vertical rail region.
28. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein a differential
speed between the cap feeder means and the containers is
constant.
29. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein a differential
speed between the cap feeder means and the containers varies
continuously during the motion of the cap feeder means.
30. The machine as defined by claim 13, further including a lever
which converts a rotary motion of the drive mechanism into a
reciprocating motion of the cap feeder means.
31. The machine as defined by claim 13, further including a control
device for varying a drive direction of the drive mechanism, in
order to furnish the reciprocating motion of the cap feeder
means.
32. The machine as defined by claim 13, wherein upon a feeding
motion of the containers, the cap feeder means is movable in the
same direction as the feeding motion, and a speed of motion of the
cap feeder means is less than a speed of motion of the containers.
Description
PRIOR ART
[0001] The present invention relates to a cyclically operating
machine for filling and closing containers, such as containers for
medications.
[0002] Machines for filling and closing containers are known in
various embodiments from the prior art. In principle, a distinction
is made between cyclical machines and continuous machines. In
continuous machines, containers are continuously filled with a
product and then closed with a cap or the like. The filled
containers are moved continuously past a closure station. Such
continuously operating machines are very complicated in their
construction, however, and are thus quite expensive. This is why
cyclically operating machines also exist, which can be produced
markedly less expensively. Because of the cyclical mode of
operation, such cyclical machines have a relatively lower yield,
and the containers to be filled are typically moved forward
intermittently, being in motion approximately one-third of the time
and at a stop approximately two-thirds of the time. Because of the
intermittent mode of operation, the work stations of the cyclical
machine for filling and closing can be constructed more simply and
economically. However, with cyclical machines, it has been found
that particularly the closure of the filled containers with a cap
or the like is problematic and time-consuming, and the closure
station is a in capacity in terms of the yield of the cyclical
machines.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The cyclically operating machine according to the invention
for filling and closing containers, having the characteristics of
claim 1, has the advantage over the prior art that despite cyclical
filling of the containers, it has a very high yield. This is
attained according to the invention by providing that a closure
station of the machine has at least some movable elements, to
enable closing filled containers with caps even during the stopped
time of the intermittently operating machine. The machine according
to the invention nevertheless has a simple and economical
construction. According to the invention, the cyclical machine
includes a closure station with a cap feeder and a sorting device.
The sorting device orients the caps intended for the closure,
separates them, and transfers them to the cap feeder. The cap
feeder places the caps individually on the filled containers and
thus closes them. At least the cap feeder is disposed movably and
includes a drive mechanism that moves the cap feeder. Thus because
of the motion of the cap feeder, caps can be placed on the
containers and the containers can be closed even during the stopped
time of the containers. It should be noted that the term "cap" is
understood according to the invention to mean any kind of closure
or lid that is suitable for closing containers.
[0004] The dependent claims show preferred refinements of the
invention.
[0005] Preferably, the cap feeder of the closure station is
disposed on a movable slide. As a result, by moving the slide, the
cap feeder can be moved relative to the containers. The slide is
preferably disposed on rollers, so as to present as little
resistance to motion as possible.
[0006] Also preferably, the sorting device of the closure station
is disposed in stationary fashion, and there is a gap between the
movable cap feeder and the sorting device. At the gap, there is a
transfer path at the sorting device for transferring the caps from
the sorting device to the cap feeder. Because of the stationary
sorting device, the mass that must be moved in the motion of the
cap feeder can in particular be reduced.
[0007] In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the
sorting device is fixed on the cap feeder and is disposed movably
jointly with the cap feeder. As a result, in particular the
transfer path between the sorting device and the cap feeder for
transferring the caps can be constructed quite simply. The sorting
device and the cap feeder are preferably fixed on a plate or the
like which is disposed movably.
[0008] Also preferably, the cap feeder includes an essentially
horizontal rail region and an essentially vertical rail region. The
caps are delivered from the sorting device first to the horizontal
rail region and then to the vertical rail region and from the
vertical rail region they are slipped onto to the containers.
[0009] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cap
feeder is disposed pivotably about a pivot point. As a result, a
motion of the cap feeder can be attained by pivoting, so that a
very simple and economical construction is possible.
[0010] Preferably, the cap feeder includes only one essentially
vertical rail region, so that the sorting device 3 is disposed
directly on the vertical rail region, and the caps are transferred
from the device directly into the vertical rail region. As a
result, an especially compact construction can be attained.
[0011] Also preferably, a differential speed of the motion between
the cap feeder and the intermittently delivered containers is
constant, both when the containers are stopped and when the
containers are in motion. As a result, a secure closure of the
containers with caps can be made possible. Thus for both containers
in motion and stopped containers, the caps can be placed onto the
containers at the same speed. Alternatively, a differential speed
between the cap feeder and the containers is not constant.
[0012] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the
closure station further includes a lever, for converting a rotary
motion of the drive mechanism into a linear reciprocating motion of
the cap feeder. As a result, an especially simple, economical
construction of the machine can be attained.
[0013] Preferably, the cyclical machine further includes a control
device, which varies a drive direction of the drive mechanism. Thus
by simply switching over, the drive mechanism can cause the cap
feeder to change its direction of motion, so that only a slight
mechanical construction is necessary.
[0014] Also preferably, the drive mechanism of the cap feeder is
embodied such that with the containers stopped, the cap feeder is
movable in a direction counter to a feeding direction of the
containers. This makes a minimal reciprocating travel distance of
the cap feeder possible. Moreover, upon a feeding motion of the
containers, a direction of motion of the cap feeder is preferably
the same as the feeding motion of the containers. However, then a
speed of motion of the cap feeder must differ from the speed of
motion of the containers, in order to slip caps onto the
containers. Preferably, the speed of motion of the cap feeder is
less than the speed of motion of the containers.
[0015] The cyclical machine according to the invention is used in
particular for filling containers for medications, such as vials or
carpules or syringes, and so forth. The caps can for instance be
rubber stoppers or crimped caps that optionally also have
preinstalled sealing elements.
DRAWINGS
[0016] Below, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described
in detail in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cyclical machine
in a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the machine shown in FIG.
1, with the containers at a stop;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a side view of the machine shown in FIG. 1, with
the containers in motion;
[0020] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the machine as caps are
being slipped onto the containers; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view on a machine in a second
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Below, in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 4, a cyclical
machine for filling and closing containers 5 in a first exemplary
embodiment will be described in detail; in FIGS. 1 through 4, only
a closure station 1 of the cyclical machine is shown, to which
already-filled containers 5 are delivered. The cyclical filling of
the containers, for instance with medications or the like, is
effected in a known manner.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the closure station 1 of the cyclical
machine includes a cap feeder 2 and a sorting device 3. The sorting
device 3 has the task of orienting and separating the caps and
delivering them to the cap feeder 2. The cap feeder 2 includes an
essentially horizontal rail region 2a with a delivery rail 20 and
an essentially vertical rail region 2b. In the cap feeder 2, the
caps 4 are delivered individually and in succession in the correct
position to one end 2c of the vertical rail region 2b. At the end
2c of the vertical rail region 2b, there is a cap shoe 21, which in
its region oriented toward the containers 5 has an inclined plane
22 (see FIG. 4). The caps 4 are placed from the cap feeder 2
directly onto the containers 5 and are pressed by means of the
inclined plane 22 of the cap shoe 21 onto the containers 5. The
containers 5 are thus closed. As schematically indicated in FIGS. 1
through 4, the containers 5 are moved intermittently by means of a
conveyor device 6, such as a conveyor belt. This intermittent
motion depends in particular on the intermittent filling operation
of the containers 5.
[0024] The closure station 1 furthermore includes a plate 7, on
which the cap feeder 2 and the sorting device 3 are secured. The
plate 7 in turn is supported on four rollers 8, which can be moved
linearly in the direction of the double arrow A shown in FIG. 1 on
rails 9 by means of a drive mechanism, not shown. As the drive
mechanism, a servo motor or a cam drive or a lever construction,
which converts a rotary motion of the drive mechanism into a linear
reciprocating motion, can be used. The rails 9 are fixed in
stationary fashion on a base 10. The base 10 may be secured for
instance to a machine frame of the cyclically operating
machine.
[0025] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the horizontal rail region 2a
with the delivery rail 20 has a predetermined inclination, so that
the caps 4 located in the delivery rail 20 are delivered
automatically in the direction of the cap shoe 21 by gravity.
[0026] The function of the closure station of the invention for a
cyclical machine is as follows: The filling operation of the
containers 5 of the cyclical machine predetermines a cyclical
motion of the containers 5 such that for approximately one-third of
the cycle time, the containers 5 are in motion, and for
approximately two-thirds of the cycle time the containers are
stopped, so that the filling operation can be performed. In FIG. 1,
the direction of motion of the containers 5 is represented by the
arrow B. FIGS. 2 and 3 clearly illustrate the principle of the
motion characteristic of the closure station 1. FIG. 2 shows a
state of the cyclical machine in which the containers 5 are not in
motion. When the containers 5 are in the stopped phase of the
cycle, the cap feeder 2 is moved in the direction of the arrow C,
counter to the actual feeding direction of the containers 5. The
result is a relative motion between the containers 5 and the cap
feeder 2, so that caps 4 can be slipped onto the stopped containers
5. When the motion cycle of the containers 5, lasting approximately
one-third of the total cycle, begins, the direction of motion of
the cap feeder 2 is reversed. This state is shown in FIG. 3. The
containers 5 are moved in the direction of the arrow B, and the cap
feeder 2 is moved together with the sorting device 3 in the
direction of the arrow D. In order to achieve a relative motion
between the moving containers 5 and the moving cap feeder 2, which
are now being moved in the same direction, a speed of motion of the
cap feeder 2 is less than that of the containers 5. This is
symbolically represented in FIG. 3 by the length of the respective
arrows B and D. Thus a relative motion resumes between the cap
feeder 2 and the moving containers 5, and the containers 5 beneath
the cap shoe 21 are moved faster than the cap shoe 21 itself is
moved in the same direction. Thus even during the phase of motion
of the cycle, caps 4 can be slipped onto to the containers 5.
[0027] It should be noted that the speed of motion of the cap
feeder 2 in either direction is preferably selected in each case
such that a differential speed between the cap feeder 2 and the
containers 5 is constant in each case. Alternatively, the motion of
the cap feeder 2 can also be defined, for instance by an
oscillating motion, such that the differential speed between the
cap feeder 2 and the containers 5 increases and decreases again in
the course of one motion cycle. To enable a lasting resupply of
caps 4, however, the differential speed should never drop all the
way to zero. Thus the direction of motion of the cap feeder at the
time can simply be controlled alternatively by means of a control
device that merely ascertains whether the containers 5 are at the
time stopped or in motion and drives the cap feeder accordingly.
According to the invention, it can thus be assured that the caps 4
can always be delivered continuously and uninterruptedly from the
sorting device 3 to the containers 5, the filling of the containers
5 being done by means of an intermittently operating machine. As a
result, the overall construction of the machine can be made quite
simple and economical, and nevertheless a high throughput per unit
of time of the machine can be attained. For instance, by means of
the intermittent machine, approximately 200 to 400 containers per
minute can be produced in conjunction with the closure station 1 of
the invention.
[0028] In conjunction with FIG. 5, a machine with a closure station
1 in a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be
described in detail. Parts that are identical or functionally
identical are identified by the same reference numerals as in the
first exemplary embodiment.
[0029] In a distinction from the previous exemplary embodiment, in
the second exemplary embodiment the sorting device 3 of the closure
station 1 is disposed in stationary fashion. A stationary transfer
region 3b is also provided on the sorting device 3, by way of which
region the caps 4 are transferred to the cap feeder 2. The cap
feeder 2 has a delivery rail 20, which is disposed pivotably about
a pivot point S. A stationary connection piece 23 connects the
sorting device to the pivotable delivery rail 20. In FIG. 5, dashed
lines represent a second terminal position after pivoting of the
delivery rail and of a cap shoe, which are designated by reference
numerals 20' and 21', respectively. The double arrow E represents
the reciprocating pivoting motion of the delivery rail 20. The
pivoting motion of the delivery rail 20 about the pivot point S
again makes it possible for caps 4 to be slipped onto the
containers 5 both during the phase of motion of the cycle and
during the stopped phase of the cycle. To enable easy pivoting of
the delivery rail 20, the delivery rail 20, in the region of the
pivot point S, is for instance made in bellows-like fashion of
flexible material. To assure secure placement of the caps 4 on the
containers 5, it should be noted that depending on the radius of
motion of the cap shoe 21, the containers 5 can also be delivered
to below the cap shoe 21, at an identical radius. Otherwise, this
exemplary embodiment corresponds to the preceding exemplary
embodiment, and thus the description of the latter can be referred
to.
[0030] For an especially compact construction of the machine, it
should be noted that the cap feeder 2 can also dispense with the
horizontal rail region, and the caps can be delivered from the
sorting device 3 directly into the vertical rail region 2b.
* * * * *