ITTO20100560A1 - "DEVICE AND PROCEDURE FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS" - Google Patents

Description

â € œDevice and procedure for closing containersâ €

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present description refers to the techniques for closing containers of the type usable, for example, to insert so-called "surprises" in food products such as chocolate eggs and the like.

The reference to this possible field of application is not, however, to be understood in a limiting sense of the scope of the description.

Description of the related technique

Shell containers comprising a first and a second half-shell shaped like a tray and can be coupled together in closure in conditions of frontal coupling of the respective mouth parts are known in numerous embodiments, as documented by a rather extensive patent literature, including, for example, example, WO-A-2005/044677, WO-A-2005/110880 and WO-A-2007/074355. In particular, the last two documents cited illustrate containers in which the first and second half-shells are connected to each other by a flexible formation acting as a hinge and capable of being made in different ways.

The general problem of facilitating the use of containers of this type has already been tackled, especially as regards filling and closing operations.

Documents EP-A-0 631 932, EP-A-0 631 933 and EP-A-0 631 934 testify to developments in this direction.

Among these, document EP-A-0 631 932 addresses the problem of coupling in closed conditions the two cup-shaped parts constituting the container, acting respectively as the body and the lid of the container itself. The solution described in EP-A-0631 932 assumes that the aforementioned closing movement is achieved by an approaching movement between the two parts of the container previously brought into a condition of frontal alignment, with the part acting as a lid arranged above of the part acting as the body of the container.

Although automated solutions are available, such as the one described in the document just mentioned, the still prevailing solution requires that the closing operation be carried out manually. This solution is exposed to various drawbacks, first of all the logistics commitment linked to the fact of bringing the various components of the surprises and the containers where the filling and closing operations are carried out and then returning the filled and closed containers. to the sites of use of the same. In addition to this, the manual process does not allow to ensure a complete quality control.

Purpose and summary of the invention

There is therefore a need to replace the operations carried out manually with operations that can be carried out in an automated way, so as to make integration with the sites of use easier, with the advantage of making the operations completely deterministic and repeatable. methods and times for carrying out the operations themselves.

The present invention has the purpose of responding to this need, in particular as regards the operation of closing the shell container.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved thanks to a device having the characteristics referred to specifically in the claims.

The invention also relates to a corresponding process.

The claims form an integral part of the technical teaching given herein in relation to the invention.

Brief description of the attached figures

The invention will now be described, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying representations, comprising figures numbered from 1 to 5 which represent the structure and subsequent operating phases of an embodiment.

Detailed description of embodiment examples The following description illustrates various specific details aimed at an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be made without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiments.

Reference to â € œan embodimentâ € in the context of this description indicates that a particular configuration, structure or feature described in relation to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as â € œin one embodimentâ €, possibly present in different places of this description, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular conformations, structures or features can be combined in a suitable way in one or more embodiments.

The references used here are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the scope of the forms of implementation.

The present detailed description refers to a device 10 which can be used for closing a shell container C of the type currently referred to as a "barrel".

In various embodiments, the device 10 is per se capable of operating even on a single container C at a time.

However, various embodiments provide for the device 10 to be able to operate simultaneously on several containers C in parallel with each other: in the embodiments shown in the figures, the device 10 operates in parallel on groups of containers C comprising a number N of containers equal to 5. Various embodiments are able to operate in parallel on a number N of containers other than 5.

In the examples considered here, in the context of the shell container C two half-shells C1 and C2 can be distinguished with the shape of a tray and parts of cap-shaped ends.

In the following, these half-shells will be referred to for brevity as â € œbodyâ € (half-shell C1) and â € œlidâ € (half-shell C2).

This distinction is made solely for simplicity of description. In the case of the barrel C illustrated here, the body C1 has a shell surface (by shell surface we mean the lateral surface, adjacent to the mouth contour of the body C1) with a greater extension than the shell surface of the lid C2 . In various embodiments, the dimensional ratios in question can be completely overturned or different (for example with the two shell surfaces identical to each other). This also in consideration of the fact that the container C can have shapes other than the shape illustrated here, such as for example an ovoid (or spindle) shape, a spherical shape, a prismatic shape, a cylindrical shape, etc.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the body C1 and the lid C2 are connected to each other by a flexible formation C3 acting as a hinge. The C3 hinge is also suitable for being made according to different methods: see, for example, the documents WO-A-2005/110880 and WO-A-2007/074355, already mentioned above.

In the embodiments considered here, the body C1 has a collar part C12 and the coupling of the cover C2 to the body C1 is achieved by inserting the collar part C12 (which protrudes from the mouth edge of the body C1) in the mouth part of the lid C2.

In various embodiments, the device 10 comprises one or more blocks 12 each comprising one or more slots 14 intended to receive inside them the bodies C1 of the containers C.

In the embodiment example considered here, the blocks 12 are organized in a `` train '' conveying structure which crosses the device 10 with a generally horizontal trajectory of advancement, with a direction of movement from right to left with reference to the embodiment examples considered here. The reference to this possible movement configuration is of course wholly exemplary in character since, for example, the blocks 12 could be carried or integrated into a different conveying structure, for example a carousel structure. The reference to a movement trajectory with constant direction of conveyance is also of an exemplary nature, since the block or blocks 12 could be moved by alternative movement.

The embodiments considered here envisage the use of several blocks 12 each of which is provided (according to a configuration roughly similar to the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine) a number of slots or cavities 14 equal to 5. Naturally, the or each body 12 can comprise a different number of slots 14.

The hollows 14 reproduce in an approximately complementary way the conformation of the body C1 of the container C so as to be able to receive inside them the bodies C1 of the containers C. The insertion of the bodies C1 of the containers C inside the respective retaining structures consisting of the cavity 14 provided in the block or blocks 12, it can take place by means of an automatic device such as a robot, not visible in the drawings but ideally placed at the bottom right with reference to the observation point of the figures.

In various embodiments, the conformation of the slots 14 (hereinafter for simplicity reference will be made, in a manner consistent with the figures, to the presence of several blocks 12 each provided with a plurality of slots 14) is such as to ¬ that, when inserted inside a respective groove 14, acting as a retaining structure, the body C1 of the container C is slightly protruding with respect to the groove 14 itself.

In various embodiments (intended for closing the containers C in which the coupling of the body C1 and the lid C2 is achieved by the effect of the engagement of the collar part C12 protruding from the mouth edge of the body C1 in the mouth part of the lid C2) the slots 14 are made in such a way that, with the body C1 inserted in the slot 14, the collar part C12 protrudes almost completely from the slot 14 as schematically illustrated in the lower right part of figure 1 .

In a non-mandatory embodiment, the hollows 14 are sized in such a way as to exert a `` strong '' retention action towards the bodies C1 inserted inside them: in other words, each body C1 is inserted with interference ( i.e. â € œplantedâ €) in the hollow 14 acting as a retaining structure.

As can be appreciated from the observation of the lower right part of the figures, which illustrate the conditions in which the containers C - open - are made to advance towards the closure device 10, the body C1 and the lid C2 of each container C are arranged side by side with their mouth edges substantially coplanar and approximately tangent in correspondence with the hinging area represented by the hinge C3, with the collar part C12 of the body C1 emerging with respect to the common plane of the mouth edges of the body C1 and of the cover C2, at least roughly defined by the upper plane of the body 12.

In the illustrated embodiment examples, which are to be understood as such, it is also assumed that the containers C, as well as advanced towards the device 10, have already been filled (operating in a known way) so as to contain inside them:

- a leaflet F (it can be, for example, a leaflet containing instructions for the assembly of the â € œsurpriseâ € inserted in the container C) folded and / or wrapped in a roughly tubular shape,

- the whole or parts K1, K2, etc. a small toy or amusement object intended to be inserted inside the container C.

The insertion of the sheet F can take place, for example, with the solution described in a patent application for an industrial invention filed on the same date by the same Applicant.

In various embodiments, the body C1 of the container C can be at least slightly deformed in the sense of a slight crushing (ovalization) of the mouth part to facilitate the introduction of the articles K1, K2 etc.

As can be seen in the various figures (referring in particular to the lower right part), the or each block 12 therefore acts as a support body in which one or more retaining structures (the slots 14) are provided, each of which is It is able to receive the first half-shell C1 of one of the containers C with the second half-shell C2 hinged (in C3) to the first half-shell and freely protruding from one side of the support body 12.

The containers C are inserted in the slots 14 of the blocks 12 with the body C1 and the lid C2 arranged side by side with their mouth edges approximately coplanar - that is, arranged in a common plane (horizontal in the examples considered here) approximately identified by the upper surface plane of the blocks 12. The mouth edges of the half-shells C1 and C2 are therefore at least approximately tangent to each other in correspondence with the hinging zone represented by the hinge C3, with the collar part C12 emerging with respect to the common plane of the edges of the mouth of the body C1 and of the cover C2.

In various embodiments, the closing operation of the containers C involves the intervention of two devices 112 and 114 which will hereinafter be called `` tilting device '' (device 112) and `` final closing device '' (device 114).

As already mentioned above, the embodiments illustrated here provide that the device 10 operates simultaneously on a number N of containers C equal to 5. In the illustrated examples, both the overturning device 112 and the final closing device 114 therefore have a corresponding number of active elements (fingers 120 of the overturning device 112 and pressure elements 140 of the device 114, as will be better seen in the following).

If the device 10 is intended to operate simultaneously on a number of containers C other than 5, the number of such active elements may vary. In the remainder of the description, reference will therefore be made mainly to the handling methods of a single container C, it being understood that they can be extended to virtually any number N of containers C.

In the embodiment examples illustrated here, the active elements or fingers 120 of the overturning device 112 as a whole form a structure which can be defined as a rake or a fork. The fingers 120 extend starting from a common support plate 122 carried by the stem 124a of an actuator 124, so as to be movable towards and away from the block 12 which is currently aligned with the device 10 (according to better modality described below) under the control of a control unit K, such as a Personal Computer for industrial use which also supervises the operation of the final closing device 114.

The fingers 120 are mounted on the plate 122 in such a way that when the actuator 124 advances the plate 122 towards the block 12 currently positioned in front of the device 112 (see for example the sequence of figures 2 to 3) each of the fingers 120, in cooperation with an adjacent finger 120, is arranged astride the lid C2 of one of the containers C inserted in the slots 14 of the body 12 in question.

In the presence of a number N of containers C intended to be treated simultaneously, the presence of N pairs of fingers 120 (a pair of fingers for each of the N containers C) can be foreseen mounted on the plate 122, therefore 2N fingers 120 in all.

In various embodiments, however, it is also possible to reduce the number of fingers 120 by making each finger 120 included in the array mounted on the plate 122, with the exception of the two fingers 120 which are in the end positions of the array, can act simultaneously on two adjacent C containers. In this way, each of the fingers 120 placed in an â € œinnerâ € (that is, not at the end) position of the array will be able to act at the same time on two of the lids C2 of the two containers C brought simultaneously to the closed position. In this case, instead of having to use 2N fingers 120 (ten in the examples illustrated here), it will be sufficient to have N 1 fingers: this is because each of the fingers in the internal position of the array will be able to work simultaneously on two adjacent containers C.

In various embodiments, this configuration could be replaced by a rod suitably shaped to accommodate a part (an arch) of the lid C1. In this configuration, the number of rods (fingers) could be identical to the number of covers C1 to be overturned.

In various embodiments, the advancement trajectory of the active part of the closing device 112 (in practice the direction of movement of the rod 124a of the actuator 124) is carried out along a trajectory forming an angle Î ± with respect to the horizontal direction (ie, in more general terms, with respect to the general plane of position of the mouth parts of the body C1 and of the lid C2 of the containers C received in the slots 14 of the blocks 12).

In the illustrated embodiments (the same operating modes can also be achieved by resorting to an at least slightly different structure / geometry) the fingers 120 are approximately cylindrical bodies with a distal end, preferably rounded, extending along respective axes lying in a common plane in which also lies the axis of the stem 124a of the actuator 124. This plane of common position (of the axes) of the fingers 120 forms a dihedral with an opening angle equal to Î ± with respect to the aforementioned general plane of position of the mouth parts of the bodies C1 and of the lids C2 of the containers C subjected to the closing movement.

The closing movement of the containers C takes place essentially due to the overturning of the lids C2 close to the bodies C1, this overturning movement taking place around the hinging region identified by the hinge C3.

This overturning movement is achieved by the fact that the fingers 120 (or, more precisely, the distal ends of the fingers 120 themselves) advance towards the block 12 where the containers C are arranged with a movement which, thanks to the angle of inclination Î ±, has:

- is a horizontal component, with the fingers 120 - and in particular the distal ends of the same - approaching the block 12, on the side from which the covers C2 protrude,

- is a component of lifting from the bottom upwards (detected in the vertical direction) which carries the fingers 120 - and in particular the distal ends of the same - towards the upper plane of the bodies 12, that is towards the plane where the edges of the mouth of the bodies C1 and of the lids C2 adjacent to them.

The sequence of figures 1 to 3 shows the procedures for carrying out the aforementioned overturning movement of the covers C2 in a closed condition close to the bodies. By effect of a command given by unit K, the actuator 124 (usually a fluidic such as a jack) is activated in such a way as to push forward and upward the assembly (generally located "below" the containers C arranged in the blocks 12) consisting of the plate 122 and the fingers 120 mounted thereon. The advancement movement of the fingers 120 causes the distal ends of the fingers themselves to enter into engagement with the covers C2 (as already said previously, each cover C2 can be engaged as a rider by a pair of fingers 120 (or, as already mentioned, by a single suitably shaped rod). The covers C2 are thus raised and overturned close to the bodies C1 making them rotate around a center of rotation (to be more precise, a place of rotation centers) identified from the hinging region of the lid C2 to the body C1, represented by the upper case hinge C3.

As a consequence of this movement, each lid C2 follows a gradual overturning movement around a horizontal axis substantially localized in the region of the hinge C3. This overturning movement gradually brings the lid C2 above the body C1 of the container C making the collar part C12 of the body C1 penetrate inside the mouth part of the lid C2.

Figure 2 shows an intermediate phase of the aforesaid overturning movement in which the mouth edge of each lid C2 (initially arranged in a horizontal plane common to the plane in which the mouth edge of the corresponding body C1 lies), gradually rotating towards the top, comes to arrange itself in an approximately vertical plane. All this to then continue in the aforementioned overturning movement up to a condition in which the mouth edge of the lid C2 is again located approximately in a horizontal plane substantially corresponding to the plane of the mouth edge of the body C1: this condition of coplanarity â € “- final - (with lid C2 closed on body C1) it is reached after the lid C2 has made a 180 ° rotation movement with respect to the condition of coplanarity â €“ - initial - (with lid C2 flanked to the body C1) following the thrust action exerted by the distal ends of the fingers 120.

During the aforementioned overturning movement (always observe the sequence of Figures 1 to 3) the distal ends of the pair of fingers 120 which straddle each lid C2 exert a thrust in a generally eccentric position with respect to the polar region of the lid C2. The sequence of figures 1 to 3 makes it possible to understand that each lid C2 is subject, by the distal ends of the fingers 120 which act on it, to a pushing action comprising:

- a horizontal component (from left to right, with reference to the point of view of the figures), having the effect of translating the lid C2 above the corresponding body C1, and

- a vertical component, initially directed upwards and which, after having canceled itself (practically at the moment in which the position represented in figure 2 is reached), gradually turns downwards, contributing in an ever increasing measure to the thrust action of the lid C2 approaching the body C1 with consequent insertion of the collar part C12 inside the mouth edge of the lid C2.

The experiments carried out by the Applicant show that the aforesaid overturning movement in closing is carried out in a very precise and deterministic way, avoiding in any case that the presence of the sheet F and the components or elements K1, K2, etc. present inside the body C1 interfere with the closing movement of the container C.

Without wishing to be bound by any specific theory in this regard, the applicant has reason to believe that this result is reproduced in a particularly precise and reliable way when, as is normally the case, the container C is made of flexible material (for example of thin plastic ). In the presence of a flexible material, the closing movement of the lid C2, in the terms represented here, is probably the basis of a gradual regular elastic deformation of the collar part C12, in the sense of at least a slight deformation (or ovalization) . The deformation starts when the collar part C12 begins to penetrate into the mouth part of the lid C2 and the penetration movement proceeds gradually (observe in particular the sequence of figures 1 to 3) and is then definitively completed when the lid C2 is It is completely applied in closing on the body C1. At the same time, the fact that each lid C2 is "taken over" by a pair of fingers of the array 120 which act on the lid C2 by arranging itself as a rider on it ensures, even in the presence of a flexible material, a precise centering action of the lid C2 with respect to the fingers 120 which act on it.

The final closing device 114 comprises one or more pressure elements 140 (in general in number N, equal to the number of containers C intended to be closed simultaneously: N = 5 in the example considered here) which, once the lids C2 have been overturned in the closed position on the respective bodies C1 (see figure 3), are made to descend from top to bottom by one or more actuator elements 142 (for example fluidic cylinder actuators, also controlled by the unit K) so as to re-weld the covers C2 in the closed position on the bodies C1.

This action aimed at strengthening the closing condition of the containers C can involve a single lowering movement (see the sequence of figures 3 to 4), or a sequence of successive lowering movements (for example a lowering movement repeated two or three times ) such as to ensure that the lids C2 are exactly pressed in the closed condition on the mouth edges of the respective bodies C1, without leaving residual accidental spreading.

In various embodiments, the pressure elements 140 also have a general bowl shape, with concavity facing the blocks 12 where the containers C are in the closed condition. In various embodiments, the general concave shape can take the appearance of a V or U shape (opening downwards or, in general, towards the containers C). This concave conformation also allows the pressure elements 140 to position themselves each as a cavalier of the lid C2 which is re-welded in the closed position of the container C, realizing an automatic centering function.

Once the closing operation has been completed, the unit K intervenes on the overturning device 112 and on the final closing device 114 by recalling the first to the retraction position (therefore backwards and downwards with reference to the condition illustrated in the attached representations) and recalling the second upwards.

All this allows the "train" for advancing the blocks 12 to advance by moving the container or containers C just closed away from the device 10 and making a new block 12, containing one or more new containers C to be closed, advance towards the device 10.

It will also be appreciated that the recall or â € œresetting "operation of devices 112 and 114 can take place either simultaneously or almost simultaneously, as shown here in the sequence of figures 4 or 5 or in subsequent phases. It is possible to provide that the fingers 120 of the overturning device 112 are drawn back downwards before lowering the pressure elements 140 onto the containers C.

In various embodiments, the overturning device 112 can be mounted on a support structure (not visible in the drawings) of the floating type, that is to say such as to allow some kind of tilting movement of the array of fingers 120 upwards or towards the low, in the sense of a variation of the angle Î ± represented in figure 1) so as to allow the adaptation to covers C2 of different sizes and shapes. Once again it is recalled that the containers C can have shapes different from the barrel shape illustrated here and have for example, instead of an overall cylindrical shape, a polygonal shape such as to involve the body C1 and / or the lid C2.

Without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what is illustrated here purely by way of non-limiting example without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined from the attached claims.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Device for closing containers (C) comprising a first (C1) and a second (C2) half-shell shaped like a tray and can be coupled together in a condition of front coupling (C12) of the respective mouth parts due to a movement of overturning in closing which brings said second half-shell (C2), flanked to said first half-shell (C1), to overturn close to said first half-shell (C1), the device comprising: - a support body (12) with a retaining structure (14) for receiving the first half-shell (C1) of at least one of said containers (C) with said second half-shell (C2) hinged (C3) to said first half -shell (C1) projecting from one side of said support body (12), e - an overturning element (112) comprising at least one thrust member (120) selectively controllable in advance towards said side of said support body (12) to impart to said second half-shell (C2) hinged (C3) to said first half -shell (C1) the aforementioned overturning movement in closing the container. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said support body (12) defines a common plane for the mouth parts of said first (C1) and said second (C2) half-shell with said second half-shell (C2 ) hinged (C3) to said first half-shell (C1) projecting from one side of said support body (12) and by the fact that said at least one thrust member (120) is movable in approach to said side of said body support (12) and to said common lying plane defined by said support body (12) according to a trajectory at an angle (Î ±) with respect to said common lying plane defined by said support body (12). Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said at least one thrust member (120) is finger-shaped. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said thrust element comprises at least a pair of thrust members (120) which can be arranged astride said second half-shell (C2) in carrying out said overturning movement. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said thrust element comprises at least one rod shaped to accommodate at least part of said second half-shell (C2). 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: - said support body (12) comprises a plurality of retaining structures (14) for a corresponding plurality of containers (C), and - said overturning element (112) comprises an array (120) of thrust members capable of cooperating with said plurality of containers (C). 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a final closing element (114) comprising at least one pressure element (140) which can be driven forward towards said support body (12) to re-weld the second half-shell (C2) in the overturned position of closing close to a corresponding first half-shell (C1). 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one pressing element (140) has a general concave shape, preferably V-shaped. Device according to claim 6 and any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein said final closing element (114) comprises a plurality of said pressing elements (140) intended to act on the respective containers (C) of said plurality. 10. Process for closing containers (C) comprising a first (C1) and a second (C2) half-shell shaped like a tray and coupled together in a condition of front coupling (C12) of the respective mouth parts due to a movement of overturning in closing which brings said second half-shell (C2) hinged (C3) and flanked to said first half-shell (C1) to overturn against said first half-shell (C1), the procedure comprising: - receiving the first half-shell (C1) of one of said containers (C) in a support body (12) with a retaining structure (14) for the first half-shell (C1) with said second half-shell ( C2) hinged (C3) to said first half-shell (C1) projecting from one side of said support body (12), and - providing an overturning element (112) with at least one thrust member (120) moving towards said side of the aforementioned support body (12), - command the advancement of said at least one thrust member (120) towards said side of the aforementioned support body (12) by imparting the aforementioned overturning movement in closing to said second half-shell (C2) hinged (C3) to said first half-shell (C1).