EP2918500A1 - Supply device and method for supplying gas - Google Patents

Abstract

A feeding device (1) for at least one lid (2) in a can folding machine (3) is disclosed. The supply device (1) comprises a cover receiving device (4), a supply channel with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The supply device (1) is suitable for supplying an inert gas to an underside of a cover (2) accommodated in the cover receiving device (4) when used as intended. At and / or in the feed channel (1), a guide means for the inert gas is arranged to produce such a gas flow in the feed channel (1) that the gas flow over a channel width of the feed channel (1) has a velocity profile at least in an outlet region at the gas outlet. The velocity profile is designed in such a way that an average center velocity v Z in a center region is greater than a mean edge velocity v R in an edge region of the gas flow facing a side wall of the feed channel.

Description

The present invention relates to a supply device for at least one cover in a container closing device and a method for supplying gas to a bottom of a lid according to the preamble of the independent claims.

From the prior art it is known to close can body by means of a lid for producing a can. These may be cans in which, for example, a foodstuff is arranged; Often the food is a drink such as beer.

In the manufacture of the can often a lid is separated from a lid stack and conveyed by means of a feeder in a container locking device such as a can folding machine. Subsequently, the lid is placed on an opening of the can body and connected to the can body substantially fixed, for example by folding. Such a device and such a method are for example from the US 2,840,963 known.

In addition, it is known, at least during a portion of the supply of the lid to the container closing device to convey a gas such as an inert gas to an underside of the lid; the gas is conveyed substantially parallel to the underside of the lid. This underside faces the opening of the can body when used as intended. Thus, it can be ensured that a residual volume of the can body, in which no food is arranged, is substantially filled with the gas before closing, wherein the air originally present in the residual volume is displaced as completely as possible by the gas. This can optionally achieve a longer shelf life of the arranged in the can food.

For the supply of the gas, a supply device for at least one cover is frequently used in a container closing device, by means of which gas can be conveyed to an underside of a lid. For this purpose, the supply device has a supply channel for the gas, in which guide plates are arranged in an outlet region for directing the gas flow to an edge region of the cover facing away from the outlet region.

The prior art, however, has the disadvantage that to ensure the filling of the residual volume substantially with the gas, a sufficient gas volume must be supplied. Since the gas is a consumable, operation of the container closure device may be too costly. In addition, depending on the food arranged in the can, certain requirements are placed on the proportion of air or gas in the residual volume in the industry. These requirements are typically in the range of less than 1 ml of air at ambient pressure in the residual volume of the can, the remaining volume being filled with the inert gas. It is therefore not possible to reduce the cost of operating the container closing device, the supplied gas volume, as this may under certain circumstances the corresponding requirements can not be met.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the known, ie in particular to provide a supply device, a container closing device and a method by means of which a reduced gas consumption during operation of the container closing device is made possible and / or an air fraction in the residual volume can be reduced.

These objects are achieved by the supply device, the container locking device and the method according to the independent claims.

The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the present invention.

The invention relates to a supply device for at least one cover in a container closing device. The container closing device is in particular a Dosenfalzmaschine. The supply device comprises a lid receiving device, a supply channel with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The supply device is suitable for supplying gas to an underside of a cover accommodated in the cover receiving device when used as intended. As gas we use in particular an inert gas. A guide device for the gas is arranged at and / or in the feed channel for generating such a gas flow in the feed channel that the gas flow has a speed profile over a channel width of the feed channel at least in an outlet region at the gas outlet. The velocity profile is designed such that a mean center velocity v _Z in a center region is greater than a mean edge velocity v _R in an edge region of the gas flow.

This has the advantage that in the center region of the gas flow, the mean center pressure p _{Z is} lower than the mean edge pressure p _R in the edge region of the gas flow; when the gas flow hits the lid at the center speed, this gas flow is at least partly stowed by the lid, on which the gas flow at least partially hits laterally; Since the pressure in the edge region is greater, the jammed gas flow at the center speed can flow away substantially only in the direction of the can body, whereby a filling of the residual volume with the gas is made possible particularly efficiently. This has the further advantage that, when a carbonated product is arranged in the can body, it is agitated by the flow, as a result of which, inter alia, further CO _{2 is} released, which further supports the displacement of the air in the residual volume.

This also has the advantage that a reduction in gas consumption can be achieved, which makes the operation of the feeder cheaper. In the case of supplying a substantially unchanged gas flow rate, a reduction of the proportion of air in the residual volume, in which no food is arranged in the can, can advantageously be achieved in the can. Under certain circumstances, it is also advantageously possible that a reduction of the supplied gas volume flow, a reduction in the proportion of air in the can be achieved. For the purposes of the application, the term "gas flow" is understood to mean the region of the gas flow which sweeps over the middle region of the gas flow in the feed channel essentially perpendicular to the flow direction, in particular one third of the channel width. In the center region, the gas flow has a mean center velocity v _Z.

For the purposes of the application, the term "edge region" of the gas flow is understood to be the region of the gas flow which sweeps over the region of the gas flow in the supply channel facing the side wall of the feed channel substantially perpendicular to the flow direction, in particular one third of the channel width; in other words, an edge region is arranged in each case laterally to the center region, wherein the two edge regions together cover about two-thirds of the channel width. In the edge region, the gas flow has a mean edge velocity v _R.

An inert gas may be, for example, nitrogen, CO ₂ , a noble gas or any combination of these gases.

Preferably, the mean center velocity v _{Z is} at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and more preferably at least 100% greater than the mean edge velocity v _R.

Preferably, the guide device is designed as a web. The bridge is arranged in particular on the ground. The web covers at least 20%, preferably at least 50% and particularly preferably at least 80% of a length L of the feed channel.

This has the advantage that the at least one web can be arranged in such a way and / or the shape of the web can be selected such that a speed profile can be generated according to the requirements of the respective cover or the respective application. It has surprisingly been found that in the inventive arrangement of the web and / or in a previously known supply device, a reduction of gas consumption by up to 25% can be achieved without the proportion of air in the residual volume of the can is increased.

For the purposes of the application, the shortest distance between the gas inlet and the gas outlet is understood by the length of the feed channel.

In the context of the application, a web is understood to mean an object having a web length G which is at least twice greater than the middle web height and / or middle web width of the web.

Preferably, the web is arranged substantially along the mean flow direction of the gas from the gas inlet to the gas outlet; in other words, the web length G is arranged substantially along the mean flow direction.

This arrangement of the web has the advantage that an end surface facing the gas inlet can be minimized in terms of size, so that the web represents only a small flow resistance for the gas flow.

Preferably, the web is formed in the flow direction is substantially tapered. In particular, the web is formed substantially drop-shaped in a plan view. This has the advantage of further reducing a pressure drop in the gas flow between the gas inlet and the gas outlet and / or reducing turbulence in the flow.

Preferably, the web has an inlet end facing the gas inlet, wherein a web surface S of the inlet end is inclined substantially in the flow direction. In particular, the web surface S is formed continuously. In particular, the web surface is formed rising in the flow direction.

This has the advantage of further minimizing the flow resistance through the end face formed by the land surface of the inlet end. Preferably, the web surface of the inlet end is rounded and formed without edges.

In the context of the application, a substantially continuous surface is understood as meaning a continuous and differentiable surface, wherein the surface has no kinks or jumps on which a mathematically right-sided derivative is unequal to a left-sided derivative around the kink; in this sense, for example, the magnitude function f (x) = | x | at the point x = 0 not continuous and differentiable.

Preferably, the web has an outlet end facing the gas outlet, wherein the web surface S of the outlet end is inclined substantially in the flow direction. In particular, the web surface is formed continuously. In particular, the web surface is formed descending in the flow direction.

The web preferably has a decreasing web height H in a region between the inlet end and the outlet end. In particular, the web height H substantially corresponds to a channel height K; in other words, the web extends in particular in at least one area over the entire channel height K.

The formation of the ends of the web as inclined surfaces, in particular with a continuous surface, has the advantage that turbulences in the flow can be better avoided, so that the desired velocity profile at the gas outlet can be formed even more reliably.

Preferably, at least two webs are arranged in the feed channel. In particular, a web spacing A between adjacent webs decreases in the flow direction.

Preferably, a channel width W of the supply channel widens in the flow direction in a first section. In particular, the channel width W is tapered in a second portion downstream of the first portion.

Preferably, a channel height K of the supply channel is designed to taper in at least one section. In particular, the channel width W at the outlet substantially corresponds to the lid diameter.

Preferably, the supply channel and in particular an outlet region of the supply channel is configured such that, when used as intended, the center region of the gas flow substantially sweeps over the center of the lid. In other words, the gas flow is steerable such that the center region of the gas flow can substantially sweep the center of a surface which is parallel to the lid on the underside of the lid and is formed by a projection of the lid parallel to a central surface perpendicular to the lid ,

Since the center region of the gas flow is surrounded on both sides by the edge regions with the respective higher pressures, this has the advantage that the air from the residual volume of the can body is displaced even more reliably by the gas, so that the air fraction in the residual volume can be further reduced.

Preferably, at least one outlet web is arranged in the outlet region, wherein the outlet web is shorter than the web. In particular, an outlet web length T is at most 20% and preferably at most 15% of a web length G of the web.

Preferably, the outlet web is formed in the flow direction is substantially tapered. In particular, the outlet web is formed substantially drop-shaped in a plan view.

Preferably, the gas outlet facing away from the end face of the outlet land in the flow direction is inclined and rising, wherein the surface end face is particularly continuous.

Preferably, the outlet web is arranged laterally to the web, wherein in particular between two webs arranged in the feed channel no outlet web is arranged.

This has the advantage that by means of the arrangement and the configuration of the outlet web, the velocity profile of the gas flow can be reliably set or selected according to the requirements.

Preferably, the supply channel, the at least one web and in particular the at least one outlet web are integrally formed. In particular, a supply channel cover is not formed integrally with the supply channel.

This has the advantage that the supply channel comprising the web and possibly the outlet web can be produced in one piece for the best possible service life. In the case of a design with a separate supply channel cover, cost-effective manufacturability can also be ensured, since the supply channel can be milled, for example, in one piece; since the supply channel cover is formed separately, a good access with the milling tool to the supply channel is possible.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a container closing device comprising a supply device as described above.

• Bereitstellung einer Zufuhreinrichtung; insbesondere wird eine Zufuhreinrichtung wie oben beschrieben bereitgestellt; die Zufuhreinrichtung umfasst eine Deckelaufnahmeeinrichtung, einen Zufuhrkanal mit einem Gaseinlass und einem Gasauslass; am und/oder im Zufuhrkanal ist eine Führungseinrichtung für das Gas angeordnet zur Erzeugung einer derartigen Gasströmung im Zufuhrkanal, dass die Gasströmung über eine Kanalbreite des Zufuhrkanals zumindest in einem Auslassbereich am Gasauslass ein Geschwindigkeitsprofil aufweist; das Geschwindigkeitsprofil ist derart ausgebildet, dass eine mittlere Zentrumsgeschwindigkeit v_Z in einem Zentrumsbereich grösser als eine mittlere Randgeschwindigkeit v_R in einem Randbereich der Gasströmung ist;
• Zuführen des Gase durch den Gaseinlass in den Zufuhrkanal;
• Fördern des Gases entlang des Zufuhrkanals zum Gasauslass;
• Fördern des Gases vom Gasauslass zur Unterseite des Deckels;
• Optional Lenken der Gasströmung derart, dass bei bestimmungsgemässem Gebrauch der Zentrumsbereich der Gasströmung im Wesentlichen das Zentrum des Deckels überstreicht;
• Optional Rotieren der Zufuhreinrichtung zum Bewegen des Deckels zu einer Dosenfalzmaschine zum Befestigen des Deckels an einem Dosenkörper.

An additional aspect of the present invention relates to a method of supplying gas to a bottom of a lid. The lid is arranged in a supply device for the lid for feeding into a container closing device. The method comprises the following steps:

• Provision of a supply device; In particular, a feeder is provided as described above; the supply means comprises a lid receiving means, a supply channel having a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a guide device for the gas is arranged on and / or in the feed channel for producing such a gas flow in the feed channel that the gas flow over a channel width of the feed channel has a speed profile at least in an outlet region at the gas outlet; the velocity profile is designed such that a mean center velocity v _Z in a center region is greater than a mean edge velocity v _R in an edge region of the gas flow;
• Feeding the gas through the gas inlet into the feed channel;
• Conveying the gas along the feed channel to the gas outlet;
• Conveying the gas from the gas outlet to the bottom of the lid;
• Optionally, directing the gas flow such that, when used as intended, the center region of the gas flow substantially sweeps over the center of the lid;
• Optionally, rotating the feeder to move the lid to a can folder for attaching the lid to a can body.

Fig. 1

Draufsicht auf eine offene erfindungsgemässe Zufuhreinrichtung;

Fig. 2

Erste Schnittdarstellung der Zufuhreinrichtung gemäss Figur 1;

Fig. 3

Zweite Schnittdarstellung der Zufuhreinrichtung gemäss Figur 1;

Fig. 4

Perspektivische Darstellung der Unterseite der erfindungsgemässen Zufuhreinrichtung gemäss Figur 1;

Fig. 5

Perspektivische Darstellung der kompletten erfindungsgemässen Zufuhreinrichtung gemäss Figur 1;

Fig. 6

Schematische Darstellung einer Dosenfalzmaschine mit der erfindungsgemässen Zufuhreinrichtung gemäss Figur 1;

Fig. 7

Darstellung eines Ausschnitts der Zufuhreinrichtung gemäss Figur 1 mit einem Geschwindigkeitsprofil der Gasströmung;

Fig. 8

Schematische Darstellung eines Dosenkörpers mit Deckel und Gasströmung.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments for better understanding, without the invention being limited to the embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

Top view of an open inventive supply device;

Fig. 2

First sectional view of the supply according to FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 3

Second sectional view of the supply according to FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 4

Perspective view of the underside of the inventive supply device according to FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 5

Perspective view of the complete supply device according to the invention FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 6

Schematic representation of a Dosenfalzmaschine with the inventive supply device according to FIG. 1 ;

Fig. 7

Representation of a section of the supply according to FIG. 1 with a velocity profile of the gas flow;

Fig. 8

Schematic representation of a can body with lid and gas flow.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an opened feed device 1 according to the invention.

The supply device 1 comprises a plurality of (here sixteen) supply channels 1, wherein all supply channels 1 are formed substantially identical. For a better overview of the features of the feeder 1, the features are partially shown in different feed channels 5 of the feeder 1. The feeder 1 has a diameter of D = 490mm.

Each feed channel 5 has a gas inlet 7 for supplying inert gas into the feed channel 5. The inert gas flows along the supply channel 5, which has a length L = 105 mm, to a gas outlet 8. Downstream of the gas outlet 8, a lid receiving means 4 is arranged for receiving a lid, such that the inert gas is conveyable to an underside of the lid.

The feed channel 1 has a bottom 13 and side walls 11. A channel width W is formed widening in a first section. In a second portion located downstream of the first portion, the channel width W is tapered.

At the bottom 13 of the feed channel 5, two webs 14 are arranged. Each of the webs 14 is formed in the flow direction substantially tapered, wherein each of the webs 14 is formed in a plan view substantially drop-shaped. The two adjacent webs 14 have a web distance A, which decreases in the flow direction.

In an outlet region 16 two outlet webs 17 are arranged. Each of the outlet webs 17 is formed substantially tapered in the flow direction, wherein each of the outlet webs 17 is formed in a substantially teardrop-shaped in a plan view. An outlet web length T is about 11% of a web length G.

In FIG. 2 is the inventive supply device 1 according to FIG. 1 shown along the section AA. The web 14 is shown here only for illustration, since the web 14 is located in a different sectional plane, as is apparent from FIG. 1 is apparent.

Same reference characters mean the same features in all figures and will be explained again only when needed.

According to FIG. 2 is in the lid receiving device 4, a cover 2 arranged for closing a can. The lid 2 has a bottom 9. The inert gas flowing out of the gas outlet 8 is guided along the bottom 9; in other words, the gas flow is conveyed along a surface substantially parallel to the bottom 9.

The web 14 has an inlet end 6 facing the gas inlet 7, wherein a web surface S of the inlet end 6 is inclined in an ascending manner substantially in the flow direction and is formed continuously. An outlet end 15 of the web 14 facing the gas outlet 8 likewise has a web surface S, which is inclined in a descending manner substantially in the flow direction.

In a region B between the inlet end 6 and the outlet end 15 of the web 14, the web 14 has a decreasing web height H.

A channel height K decreases in a portion between the gas inlet 7 and the gas outlet 8. The web height H substantially corresponds to the channel height K.

In FIG. 3 is the inventive supply device 1 according to FIG. 1 shown along the section BB.

In the outlet region, the webs 14 and outlet webs 17 are arranged on the bottom 13. An outlet web width 22 is larger than a web width 23. A web distance A is smaller than an outlet distance 24 between the web 14 and the respectively adjacent outlet web 17.

In the FIGS. 4 and 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the inventive supply device according to FIG. 1 and the complete supply device according to the invention FIG. 1 shown.

In FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a can folding machine 3 with the inventive supply device 1 according to FIG. 1 shown.

In a stacking device 21 lid 2 are stacked. By means of the feed device 1, which in the present case rotates clockwise, a lid 2 is removed from the stacking device 21, whereby a separation of the cover 2 takes place. The separation takes place in such a way that the cover 2 is reliably received in the lid receiving device 4. Subsequent to the reception of the lid 2 in the lid receiving device 4, the lid is conveyed by the rotation of the feed device 1 to the can folding machine 3. During the conveyance of the lid 2 to the can folding machine 3 is how to FIG. 1 explains inert gas to the underside of the lid 2 promoted.

The can folding machine 3 also comprises a can feed 18 for feeding can bodies 12. The feeding of the can body 12 takes place at the same speed as the lid 2.

In the can folding machine 3, the respective cover 2 is removed from the supply device 1 and placed on the can body 12. By supplying an inert gas to the underside of the lid, it can be ensured that a residual volume of the can body, in which no food is arranged, is essentially filled with inert gas before closing, whereby the air originally present in the residual volume is displaced by the gas.

Subsequently, a closure by means of a folding process, whereupon a sealed box 20 is transported by means of the can discharge 19 from the can folding machine.

In FIG. 7 is a section of the feeder 1 according to FIG. 1 shown with a velocity profile P of the gas flow. The gas flow has the illustrated velocity profile P at the gas outlet 8.

The velocity profile P has a center region 26 with velocities varying over the channel width W, wherein these velocities in the center region 26 form a mean center velocity v _Z. Edge regions 25 are formed on both sides of the center region 26 with velocities varying over the channel width W, these velocities forming a mean edge velocity v _R in the edge region 25.

From the Bernoulli pressure equation known to the person skilled in the art, due to the different speeds, the mean center pressure p _Z in the center region 26 of the gas flow is lower than the mean edge pressure p _R in the edge region 25 of the gas flow.

In FIG. 8 is schematically shown a can body 12 with a lid 2 and the gas flow formed in the center region. The gas flow is conveyed by means of the supply channel, not shown here to a bottom 9 of the lid 2. The gas flow is directed so that the center region of the gas flow sweeps over substantially the center of the lid 2. If the gas flow with the center speed v _Z hits the lid 2, this is partly jammed. Since the center region is surrounded on both sides by the edge region with the correspondingly higher pressure and the flow can not essentially flow off via an upper side of the cover 2, at least the gas flow of the center region is directed into a residual volume 28 of the can body 12 filled with the food 27.

Claims (15)

Feeding device (1) for at least one cover (2) into a container closing device, in particular a can folding machine (3), wherein the feed device (1) comprises a cover receiving device (4), a supply channel (5) with a gas inlet (7) and a gas outlet (8 ) comprises for supplying gas, in particular an inert gas, to a lower side (9) of a lid (2) received in the lid receiving device (4) when used as intended, characterized in that on and / or in the feed channel (5) a guide means for the Gas is arranged to generate such a gas flow in the supply channel, that the gas flow over a channel width (W) of the feed channel (5) at least in an outlet region (16) at the gas outlet (8) has a velocity profile (P), so that a mean center velocity ( v _Z ) in a center region (26) is greater than a mean edge velocity (v _R ) in an edge region (25) of the gas flow. Feed device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the mean center velocity (v _Z ) is at least 50%, preferably at least 75% and more preferably at least 100% greater than the mean edge velocity (v _R ). Feed device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide device is designed as a web (14) which is arranged in particular on the bottom (13), wherein the web (14) at least 20%, preferably at least 50% and more preferably at least 80% of a length (L) of the feed channel (5) sweeps over. Supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (14) is arranged substantially along the mean flow direction of the gas from the gas inlet (7) to the gas outlet (8). Supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (14) in the flow direction substantially is formed tapering, in particular, the web (14) is formed in a plan view substantially drop-shaped. Supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (14) has an inlet end (6) facing the gas inlet (7), wherein a web surface (S) of the inlet end (6) is inclined substantially in the flow direction, wherein in particular the web surface (S) is formed continuously. Feed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (14) has an outlet end (15) facing the gas outlet (8), wherein the web surface (S) of the outlet end (15) is inclined substantially in the flow direction, wherein in particular the web surface (S) is formed continuously. Feed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the web (14) in a region (B) between the inlet end (6) and the outlet end (15) has a decreasing web height (H), wherein in particular the web height ( H) substantially corresponds to a channel height (K). Feed device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the feed channel (5) at least two webs (14) are arranged, wherein in particular a web spacing (A) decreases between adjacent webs in the flow direction. Supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply channel (5) and in particular the outlet region (16) of the feed channel (5) is designed such that when used as intended, the central region (26) of the gas flow substantially the center the lid (2) sweeps over. Supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the outlet region (16) at least one outlet web (17) is arranged, wherein the outlet web (17) is shorter than the web (14), and wherein in particular an outlet web length (T) is at most 20% and in particular at most 15% of a web length (G). Feed device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the outlet web (17) is arranged laterally to the web (14), wherein in particular between two in the feed channel (5) arranged webs (14) no outlet web (17) is arranged. Supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply channel (5), the at least one web (14) and in particular the at least one outlet web (17) are integrally formed. Container closing device comprising a supply device (1) according to one of the above claims. Method for supplying gas to a lower side (9) of a lid (2), wherein the lid (2) is arranged in a feed device (1) for feeding the lid (2) into a container closing device, comprising the following steps: - Provision of a supply device (1), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the supply device (1) comprises a lid receiving means (4), a supply channel (5) with a gas inlet (7) and a gas outlet (8), characterized in that a guide device for the gas is arranged on and / or in the feed channel (5) in order to produce such a gas flow in the feed channel that the gas flow over a channel width (W) of the feed channel (5) at least in an outlet region (16) at the gas outlet ( 8) has a velocity profile (P), such that a mean center velocity (v _Z ) in a center region (26) is greater than a mean edge velocity (v _R ) in an edge region (25) of the gas flow facing a side wall of the feed channel (5) ; - supplying the gas through the gas inlet (7) into the feed channel (5); - conveying the gas along the feed channel (5) to the gas outlet (8); - conveying the gas from the gas outlet (8) to the bottom (9) of the lid; - Optionally directing the gas flow such that, when used as intended, the center region (26) of the gas flow sweeps over substantially the center of the lid (2); - Optional rotation of the feed device (1) for moving the lid (2) to a can folding machine (3) for fixing the lid (2) on a can body (18).

Images