CN102958807B - Device and method for closing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for closing containers (C) including a first (CI) and a second (C2) vat-shaped half-shell and to be coupled with their respective mouth portions in a frontal mating relationship (C12) as a result of a turnover movement leading the second half-shell (C2), initially arranged sideways of the first half-shell (CI), to overturn closing onto the first half-shell (CI). The device includes a support body (12) with a holder structure (14) for receiving the first half- shell (CI) of one of the containers (C) with the second half-shell (C2) hinged (C3) to the first half-shell (CI) and protruding from one side of the support body (12), as well a turnover element (112) with at least one pusher member (120) selectively actuatable to advance towards the support body (12) for imparting to the second half-shell (C2) the aforementioned turnover closing movement.

Description

For the apparatus and method of closed container

Technical field

This specification sheets relates to the technology for closed container, and the type of this technology is can such as inserting so-called " pleasantly surprised " in food such as chocolate egg etc.

But, this possibility application related to can not think to limit the scope of specification sheets.

Background technology

The shell container comprising the first and second barrel-shaped half housings (this first and second barrel-shaped half housing is interconnected with the anterior annexation of corresponding mouth shape part) is known in many embodiments, as proved by a large amount of patent documentation, such as, comprise document WO-A-2005/044677, WO-A-2005/110880 and WO-A-2007/074355.Particularly, two document examples below illustrate such container, and wherein, the first and second half housings are interconnected by compliant member, and this compliant member is used as hinge, and are applicable to obtaining according to distinct methods.

Address the general problem of this container easy to use, particularly about filling and shutoff operation.

Document EP-A-0631932, EP-A-0631933 and EP-A-0631934 demonstrate the development in this direction.

Wherein, document EP-A-0631932 solves the problem of connection two cup-like portion, and these two cup-like portion form container, are used separately as body and the lid of container in closed state.Make aforementioned closing movement due to obtaining close to motion between two parts of container in the scheme described in EP-A-0631932, these two parts carry into anterior aligned condition in advance, and the part being used as lid is arranged in above the part as vessel.

Although can obtain automatic scheme (scheme such as described in aforementioned documents), prevailing scheme is still provided as the " locked in " operation manually carried out.The program has multiple defect, first, utilizes logistics all parts of pleasantly surprised and container to be transported to and carries out filling and the position of " locked in " operation (before the container closed and fill is returned to its place to use).In addition, manual operation can not ensure quality control completely.

Particularly, the present invention relates to a kind of device of preamble according to claim 1, this device is such as from US5551210A.

US3518811 is also related to the present invention to a certain extent.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, need the operation by automatically performing to replace manual operation, so that combine with place to use, advantage wherein makes to perform method of its operation and number of times is determined completely and can repeat.

The object of this invention is to provide the response of these demands to the operation about closed shell vessel.

According to the present invention, such object realizes owing to having the device of the feature particularly pointed out in claim 1.

The invention still further relates to correlation method as claimed in claim 9.

Claim forms integral part disclosed in the technology that provides about the present invention here.

Accompanying drawing explanation

To introduce the present invention by means of only non-restrictive example with reference to accompanying drawing below, accompanying drawing comprises the accompanying drawing of label from 1 to 5, illustrates structure and the control step subsequently of embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

Example describes various specific details in the following description, and object in depth understands embodiment.Embodiment can obtain when neither one or multiple specific details or by other method, parts, material etc.In other example, known structure, material or operation do not represent in detail or introduce, to avoid the various aspects indigestion making embodiment.

Described in this manual " embodiment " represents and comprises at least one embodiment about special shape, structure or the feature described in this embodiment.Therefore, the statement such as " in an embodiment " that may be present in multiple parts of this specification sheets does not need to relate to identical embodiment.And special shape, structure or feature can with any desired manner combination in one or more embodiments.

Described here just for helping reader, therefore they do not limit the scope of protection domain or embodiment.

Here detailed description relates to and can be used in the closed current device 10 being called this outer shelly container C of " cylinder ".

In various embodiments, device 10 self is applicable to even once only operating in a container C.

But, each embodiment is provided as device 10 and can operates in multiple container C parallel to each other simultaneously: in the embodiment shown in the figures, device 10 operates abreast on container group C, and the number of vessels N that this container group comprises equals 5.Each embodiment can operate abreast on the N number of container being different from 5.

In the example considered, two and half housing C1 and C2 can be distinguished by barrel-shaped elements and cap shaped end part here in shell vessel C.

Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, two and half such housings will be called " body " (half housing C1) and " lid " (half housing C2).

This differentiation is just for simplified illustration.When for cylinder C shown in here, the skirt surface of body C1 (term skirt surface here for representing side surface, near the mouth profile of body C1) has larger expanded range relative to the skirt surface of lid C2.In various embodiments, described dimensional ratios can difference (such as, two skirt surfaces are mutually the same).This also consider container C can be formed as and here shown in different shape, such as oval (or rod), spherical, prismatic, cylindrical etc.

Further, in example described here, body C1 and lid C2 is interconnected by being used as the compliant member C3 of hinge.Hinge C3 is also applicable to producing according to distinct methods, such as, see aforementioned documents WO-A-2005/110880 and WO-A-2007/074355.

In embodiment described here, body C1 has collar portion C12, and the connection of lid C2 and body C1 is by owing to making this collar portion of collar portion C12(C12 protrude from the edge of the mouth of body C1) insert the mouth portion covering C2 and realize.

In various embodiments, device 10 comprises one or more pieces 12, and each piece 12 comprises one or more cavity 14, and this cavity 14 is by the body C1 of receiving vessel C wherein.

In the embodiment here considered, block 12 is arranged to " chain " structure, and it crosses device 10 with approximate horizontal advance track, has motion from right to left for the embodiment considered here.This possible motion structure is certainly completely for example object, and wherein, such as block 12 can carried or be integrated in different transfer structures, such as turntable structure.Have the path of motion of constant carriage direction also just for example object, wherein, block 12 can alternating movement.

Here the embodiment considered is provided as and uses multiple pieces 12, and each piece 12 is provided with multiple cavity 14(number and equals 5) (structure roughly similar according to the cylinder cover with combustion engine).Obviously, body 12 or each body 12 can comprise the cavity 14 of different number.

Cavity 14 is with the structure of the body C1 of the mode duplicate container C of near-complementary, so that the body C1 of receiving vessel C wherein.The body C1 of container C is inserted in the corresponding holding structure be made up of the cavity 14 be provided in block 12 and can be undertaken by operatorless device (such as robot), this operatorless device is not shown in the drawings, but it is desirable to it can relative to the point of observation of accompanying drawing be positioned at bottom right part.

In various embodiments, the structure of cavity 14 (for the sake of simplicity, hereinafter will introduce multiple pieces 12 of existence by reference to the accompanying drawings, be provided with multiple cavity 14 for each piece 12) for when the body C1 of container C inserts in respective cavities 14 (cavity 14 is used as retainer structure), body C1 protrudes a little relative to cavity 14.

(closed container C will be used in various embodiments, wherein, because the collar portion C12 protruded from the mouth edge of body C1 is assembled in the mouth portion of lid C2 the connection realizing body C1 and lid C2), cavity 14 is made for like this, when body C1 inserts in cavity 14, collar portion C12 is almost complete to be protruded, as schematically illustrated in the bottom right part of Fig. 1 from cavity 14.

In an embodiment (non-exclusive), cavity 14 is sized to apply " stronger " maintenance effect relative to the body C1 inserted wherein: in other words, each body C1 inserts (i.e. " interference fit ") as in the cavity 14 of retainer structure when there being interference.

By observing the bottom right part known (this drawings illustrates the state when container C opened is advanced towards closing appliance 10) of accompanying drawing, body C1 and the lid C2 of each container C are arranged side by side relative to each other, and their mouth edge is substantially coplanar, and being similar to tangent in the hinge area represented by hinge C3, the collar portion C12 of body C1 protrudes relative to the public holding plane (this public holding plane is at least roughly limited by the upper plane of body 12) of the mouth edge of body C1 and lid C2.

(should be understood to example) in the embodiment shown, assuming that container C fills (operating in a known way) in advance when advancing towards device 10, to comprise wherein:

-sheet material F(it can be such as the sheet material of the instruction had for assembling " pleasantly surprised " inserted in container C), this sheet material carries out folding and/or being wound around, to form general tube shape shape;

-by the assembly of the nicknack that inserts in container C or amusement article or part K1, K2 etc.

Sheet material F can such as insert according to the scheme described in the industrial invention patent application submitted at phase same date by same Applicant.

In various embodiments, the body C1 of container C can pass through extrude mouth portion a little and be out of shape (ovalisation) at least a little, so that introduce article K1, K2 etc.

As in various figures visible (with particular reference to bottom right part), block 12 or each piece 12 are used as supporting mass, wherein be provided with one or more retainer structure (cavity 14), each retainer structure can receive the first half housing C1 of a container C, the second half housing C2 hinged (at C3 place) on the first half housings, and freely protrude from the side of supporting mass 12.

Container C is inserted in the cavity 14 of block 12, and body C1 and lid C2 is arranged to adjacent one another are, and their mouth edge be similar to coplanar-to be namely arranged in the approximate common plane limited by the flat upper surface of block 12 (being level in example described here).The mouth edge of half housing C1 and C2 is therefore at least approximate tangent relative to each other in the hinge area represented by hinge C3, and collar portion C12 protrudes relative to the public holding plane of the mouth edge of body C1 and lid C2.

In various embodiments, for the intervention of action need two devices 112 and 114 of closed container C, for the sake of simplicity, these two devices 112 and 114 are hereinafter referred to as " turning device " (device 112) and " final closing appliance " (device 114).

Therefore, as previously mentioned, the embodiment that example illustrates here operates for device 10 simultaneously in the N number of container C equaling 5.In the example shown, turning device 112 and final closing appliance 114 have the moving element (finger 120 of turning device 112 and the pressure element 140 of device 114, hereinafter see better) of respective number.

When device 10 by when operating simultaneously in the multiple container C being different from 5, the number of this moving element can change.In explanation below, Primary Reference only operates the method for a container C, it should be known that they can extend to N number of (in fact unrestricted) container C.

In the embodiment that here example illustrates, moving element or the finger 120(of turning device 112 are whole) formed to limit and harrow or forked structure.Finger 120 is stretched out from the public back plate 122 carried by the bar 124a of actuator 124, so that can relative to block 12 close to and away from motion, this block 12 at this moment with the Personal Computer by control unit K(such as industrial use, it also manages the operation of final closing appliance 114) device 10 that controls aligns (method according to introducing better) below.

Finger 120 is arranged on plate 122, thus when actuator 124 makes plate 122 advance towards the block 12 be currently located at before device 112 (such as seeing the order of Fig. 2 to 3), each finger 120 coordinates with an adjacent finger part 120, and the lid C2 Shangdi be arranged to across a container C in the cavity 14 inserting described body 12 is erect.

When there being N number of container C to process simultaneously, N is used for a container C to finger 120(a pair finger) can be provided as and be arranged on plate 122, therefore 2N finger 120 altogether.

In various embodiments, by making to be included in two finger 120 of each finger 120(in the array that is installed on plate 122 except the end position place at array) can operate on two adjacent container C simultaneously, the number of finger 120 also can reduce.Therefore, each finger 120 being arranged in " inside " position (not namely the being end position) place of array should operation on two lid C2 of two container C (these two containers arrive off position simultaneously) simultaneously.In this case, be 10 in the example replacing use 2N finger 120(shown here), N+1 finger is just enough: this is because each finger in the interior location of array can operate on two adjacent container C simultaneously.

In various embodiments, this structure can be replaced by bar, and this bar is applicable to being configured as the part (circular arc) receiving lid C1.In such an embodiment, the number of bar (finger) can equal the number of the lid C1 that will overturn.

In various embodiments, the advance track of " activity " part of closing appliance 112 (in fact, the sense of motion of the axle 124a of actuator 124) along obtaining (namely relative to the track of horizontal direction angulation α, more generally, relative to the body C1 of the container C be received in the cavity 14 of block 12 and the overall holding plane of the mouth portion of lid C2).

(even also can obtain identical method of operation by least slightly different construction/geometry) in the exemplary embodiment, finger 120 is for having the near cylindrical body of far-end, this cylinder is preferably circular, extends along the respective axis be arranged in common plane (axis of the axle 124a of actuator 124 is also in this common plane).(axis) of finger 120 this public holding plane forms the dihedron with open angle (this open angle equals α) relative to the foregoing general holding plane of the mouth portion of the body C1 and lid C2 that carry out the container C closing motion.

The motion closing this container C obtains because lid C2 turn on body C1 substantially, and such flip-flop movement carries out around the hinge area limited by hinge C3.

Such flip-flop movement due to finger 120(or more precisely, the far-end of finger 120) be arranged in this block 12 towards block 12(container C) front and then realize, due to tilt angle alpha, this motion has:

-horizontal component, the far-end of finger 120(particularly this finger) by this horizontal component in the side that lid C2 cantilever protrudes close to block 12;

-and upper and lower rise components (vertically detecting), this upper and lower rise components makes the far-end of finger 120(particularly this finger) move towards the upper plane of block 12, namely towards body C1 mouth edge and be arranged in the public holding plane motion of mouth edge of the lid C2 near this body C1.

The order of Fig. 1 to 3 illustrates to perform and is provided for the method that lid C2 turn to aforementioned movement body C1 becoming closed state.

Due to the driving applied by unit K, actuator 124(is generally fluidic actuator, such as hydraulic jack) drive, so that the assembly (being roughly positioned at " below " of the container C be arranged in block 12) be made up of with the finger 120 be mounted thereon plate 122 forward and upwardly.The forward movement of finger 120 makes the far-end of finger to engage with lid C2 (as previously mentioned, respectively covering C2 to engage with riding by a pair finger 120 or by the single bar of suitable shape).Therefore, lid C2 raises and turn on body C1, thus they are rotated around by for lid C2 being hinged on centre of gration (more precisely, rotation center region) that the region (being represented by hinge C3) on body C1 limits.

Due to such motion, each lid C2 carries out flip-flop movement gradually around the horizontal axis be substantially arranged in hinge area C3.Such flip-flop movement makes lid C2 move to gradually above the body C1 of container C, thus the collar portion C12 of body C1 is penetrated in the mouth portion of lid C2.

Fig. 2 illustrates the intermediate steps of aforementioned flip-flop movement, wherein, the mouth edge (first arrange in a horizontal plane, the plane residing for the mouth edge of this horizontal plane and corresponding body C1 is identical) of each lid C2 rotates up gradually, and setting is arranged in basic perpendicular.Then, they carry out aforementioned flip-flop movement all subsequently, until the mouth edge of the lid C2 approximate position being arranged in horizontal plane again, this horizontal plane is substantially corresponding with the public holding plane of the mouth edge of body C1: but, the impetus that this final co-planar (its middle cover C2 is enclosed on body C1) applies along with the far-end by finger 120 at lid C2 and realizing after carrying out 180o rotation relative to initial co-planar (wherein, lid C2 is arranged in body C1 side).

In aforementioned flip-flop movement process, (still see the order of Fig. 1 to 3), ride far-end applied thrust in the position usually eccentric relative to pole (polar) region covering C2 of a pair finger 120 of joint with each C2 of lid.The order of Fig. 1 to 3 illustrates each lid C2 and passes through the far-end of the finger 120 operated thereon and be subject to thrust, and this thrust comprises:

-horizontal component (from left to right, the point of observation with reference to accompanying drawing), this horizontal component has the effect making to cover C2 translation above corresponding body C1; And

-vertical component, this vertical component is first towards upper, and (be in fact similar to when reaching the position shown in Fig. 2) after counteracting gradually towards under, thus constantly increase makes lid C2 close to the contribution of the thrust of body C1, ensure collar portion C12 is inserted in the mouth edge of lid C2 simultaneously.

The test undertaken by applicant shows, aforementioned upset close motion with extremely accurately and the mode determined realize, thus the sheet material F preventing from being present in body C1 and parts or element K1, K2 etc. disturb the closed motion of container C.

Although do not limit any particular principles realizing this object, applicant believes when container C is manufactured by flexible material (such as thin plastics) (just as common situation), and such result will copy with accurate especially and failure-free mode.When there is flexible material, according to the state represented here, the flip-flop movement for closing cap C2 may make collar portion C12 elastic deformation regularly gradually, is out of shape at least a little (or being formed oval).When collar portion C12 starts to penetrate in the mouth portion of lid C2, distortion starts, and penetrates motion before (when covering that C2 is whole is applied to enclosed body C1) completing clearly and carry out gradually (particularly seeing the order of Fig. 1 to 3).Simultaneously, each lid C2 comes " reception " even if be provided for the accurate effect of covering C2 and feeling relieved relative to the finger 120 operated thereon by also ensureing when there is flexible material by a pair finger (this operates on lid C2 finger, is arranged to straddle on this lid C2) in array 120.

Final closing appliance 114 comprises one or more pressure element 140(and is generally number N, number N equals the number of the container C closed simultaneously: N=5 in example described here), once lid C2 turn to the detent position (see figure 3) on corresponding body C1, this pressure element 140 is just by one or more actuator element 142(such as hydraulic fluid actuator, also controlled by unit K) and reduce from top to bottom, to make to cover in the detent position of C2 consolidation on body C1.

This direct effect for consolidating the closed state of container C can cause single moving downward (order see Fig. 3 to 4), or cause a series ofly reducing motion (such as repeating the reduction campaign of twice or three times) subsequently, to make lid C2 can be accurately pressed into the closed state in the mouth edge of corresponding body C1, and the remaining space being not intended to expansion can not be left.

In various embodiments, pressure element 140 is also roughly concave shape, has and is positioned in this block 12 with closed state towards block 12(container C) concave shaped portion.In various embodiments, roughly spill extension can take V or U-shaped extension (under shed, namely roughly towards container C).This concave structure also authorized pressure element 140 is arranged to separately across on lid C2, and this consolidates the detent position of container C, provides auto-centering function.

When completing " locked in " operation, unit K intervenes turning device 112 and final closing appliance 114, thus make turning device 112 be back to going-back position (therefore relative to the state shown in the accompanying drawings backward and downwards), final closing appliance 114 is upwards returned.

All these make " chain " for making block 12 advance can perform advance step, thus make the container C motion separating device 10 of previously closedown, and the new block 12 comprising one or more new container C that will close is advanced towards device 10.

And, can see, to return or the operation of " again trigger " device 112 and 114 can simultaneously or almost simultaneously be carried out, as shown in the order of Fig. 4 or 5 or in a subsequent step.Particularly, the finger 120 of turning device 112 returned backward and downwards before pressure element 140 is reduced in container C.

In various embodiments, turning device 112 can be arranged in the supporting structure (not shown) of floating type, namely finger 120 array is allowed to carry out given swing (change direction along angle [alpha] shown in FIG) up or down, the lid C2 with difformity and size can be suitable for.Further, should be kept in mind that container C can have the shape different from shown drum here, such as, there is substantial cylindrical extension, polygon extension, to comprise body C1 and/or lid C2.

When not departing from principle of the present invention, details and embodiment relative to the pure details introduced by non-restrictive example and embodiment even significant change here, and can not departed from by the scope of the invention of appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. the device of the container for closing flexible (C), described container comprises cup-shaped the first half housings (C1) and the second half housings (C2), to make their corresponding mouth portion connect with anterior matching relationship (C12) owing to overturning closed motion, described upset is closed described the second half housings (C2) that motion makes to be arranged in described the first half housing (C1) sides and is turn on the first half housings (C1), the feature of described device is, described device comprises:

-supporting mass (12), described supporting mass (12) has retainer structure (14), to receive described the first half housings (C1) of container described at least one (C), wherein, described the second half housings (C2) hinged (C3) on described the first half housings (C1), and protrude from the side of described supporting mass (12); And

-flip element (112), described flip element comprises at least one pusher components (120), described pusher components selectively drives, to advance towards the described side of supporting mass (12), thus described upset is closed motion and be applied on hinged (C3) described the second half housings (C2) on described the first half housings (C1), so that closed container; And

Wherein, described flip element comprises for being arranged to producing when motion is closed in described upset across at least one pair of pusher components (120) on described the second half housings (C2).

2. device according to claim 1, wherein: described supporting mass (12) to define described in when hinged (C3) described the second half housings (C2) on described the first half housings (C1) protrude from the side of described supporting mass (12) mouth portion of the first half housings (C1) and the public holding plane residing for mouth portion of described the second half housings (C2), described at least one pusher components (120) can be moved, so that the track followed relative to the described public holding plane limited by described supporting mass (12) angled (α) is close to the described side of described supporting mass (12) and the described public holding plane that limited by described supporting mass (12).

3. device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein: described at least one pusher components (120) is finger shape.

4. device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein: described pusher components comprises at least one bar, the shape of described bar is set to receive described the second half housings (C2) at least partially.

5. device according to claim 1 and 2, wherein:

-described supporting mass (12) comprises the multiple retainer structures (14) for corresponding multiple container (C); And

-described flip element (112) comprises the array of pusher components (120), to coordinate with multiple described container (C).

6. device according to claim 1 and 2, also comprise: final closure elements (114), described final closure elements comprises at least one pressure element (140), described pressure element (140) can drive, to advance towards described supporting mass (12), thus the second half housings (C2) are consolidated to its upset detent position on corresponding the first half housings (C1).

7. device according to claim 6, wherein: described at least one pressure element (140) has overall concave shape.

8. device according to claim 6, wherein, described at least one pressure element (140) is V-arrangement.

9. device according to claim 6, wherein: described final closure elements (114) comprises multiple described pressure element (140), to act on the corresponding container (C) of described multiple container.

10. the method for the container (C) of a closing flexible, described container (C) comprises cup-shaped the first half housings (C1) and the second half housings (C2), to make their corresponding mouth portion connect with anterior matching relationship (C12) owing to overturning closed motion, described upset is closed described the second half housings (C2) that motion makes hinged (C3) and be arranged in described the first half housing (C1) sides and is turn on the first half housings (C1), and described method comprises:

-described the first half housings (C1) of container described in one of them (C) are arranged in supporting mass (12), described supporting mass (12) has the retainer structure (14) for the first half housings (C1), wherein, hinged (C3) described the second half housings (C2) on described the first half housings (C1) protrude from the side of described supporting mass (12); And

-flip element (112) is provided, described flip element has at least one pusher components (120), and described pusher components (120) movable one-tenth advances towards the described side of supporting mass (12);

-described at least one pusher components (120) is advanced towards the described side of supporting mass (12), be applied on hinged (C3) described the second half housings (C2) on described the first half housings (C1) described upset to be closed motion; And

Wherein, described flip element comprises for being arranged to producing when motion is closed in described upset across at least one pair of pusher components (120) on described the second half housings (C2).