DD145058A5 - CLOSING MACHINE FOR PLUG CAPSULES - Google Patents

Description

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Sealing machine for capsules

Field of application of the invention:

The invention relates to a capping machine for capsules having a capsule body and an attachable cap, both preferably made of hard gelatin, with at least one sleeve for receiving and holding a cap and at least one coaxially to the sleeve reciprocable stamp.

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In known capping machines of this type upper, vertical bushings are arranged in sliders which project at uniform intervals radially outwardly from a carousel and are displaceable with respect to this between a radially inner and a radially outer position ·. The carousel is rotatable about a vertical axis gradually by the angular distance between two slides. Below the carousel a turntable is arranged, which is rotatable together with the carousel about the same axis and has a number of upper cans corresponding number of lower cans. When the slides occupy their radially outer position, the upper cans are arranged vertically above a lower sleeve. On the other hand, when the slides take their radially inner position, the lower bushes are freely accessible from above. In one complete revolution of the carousel and the turntable each comes out of a

upper and a lower sleeve existing pair of cups in succession in several arranged around the turntable stations. The first station includes a device that inserts into the upper sleeve a kappel maker provisionally closed plug capsule so that engages at the bottom of the sleeve radially inwardly projecting collar under the edge of the cap. The second station includes a hollow, connectable to a vacuum source lower punch, which moves from below through the lower sleeve upwards., Sucked on the capsule body "pulls him down from the in.der upper sleeve remaining cap and the capsule body On the way to the next station, the upper sleeve and cap are brought closer to the rotary axis of the carousel by moving the associated slide while the lower sleeve passes under a filling device. As the carousel and turntable continue to rotate, the pusher returns to its radially outward position so that the upper canister is again above the lower one In the following station, another lower punch pushes the capsule body back into the cap, while a Upper punch from the top geg'en the cap dr ckt. In this case, the capsule body penetrates deeper than originally 'in the cap, so daß.Kapselkörper and cap are fixedly connected together. The strength of the connection is preferably increased by the fact that provided on capsule body and cap annular detents intermesh. Subsequently, the upper punch is pulled back up and the lower punch pushes the entire plug capsule up out of the upper sleeve.

Such known capping machines have proven themselves in the event that the plug capsules' are pasty or free-flowing.

be filled capable of filling. However, the producible with known capping machine connection between capsule body and cap is not dense enough for low-viscosity filling material.

Object of the invention:

The invention is therefore based on the problem of designing a capping machine of the type described at the outset in such a way that it is able to introduce a seal in caps of push-in capsules which produces a fluid-tight connection between the two during the subsequent final mating of the caps and capsule bodies. It should be indifferent whether the sockets are filled in the usual way before the final mating or erstdanach, for example, according to the German patent application P 27 13 873 »4 with a hollow needle, by a self-produced or prepared by her hole in the Plug capsule penetrates.

Presentation of the nature of the invention ;

The object is inventively achieved in that the punch 'fits into the cap and has an axially displaceable on it and biased towards the end of the cap stamp head, which is pressed from the inside against the end of the cap and together with a collar surface of the punch a Annulus limited, from which a sealing fluid annularly against the inner wall of the cap when the punch head is pressed against the end of the cap.

The stamp according to the invention can be arranged for example in the described known sealing machine in the station, which is normally provided as a filling station. Also another station may be suitable

be, if there withdrawn the capsule body of the cap and this has reached a position in v / elcher the erfxndungsgemäße stamp can be inserted into the cap.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the punch head is fixedly connected to a shaft which is guided in an axial bore of the punch and supported by a spring.

In this case, the shaft may be formed as a valve body which controls a leading in the punch to the annulus inlet channel for the sealing fluid. For this purpose, the shaft may have a shoulder which is associated with a collar formed as a valve seat at the end of the punch.

It is also expedient if the punch has a return flow channel for excess sealing fluid which, together with the inlet channel, belongs to a circulatory system for the sealing fluid operated by a pump and leading through a heatable reservoir. In this way it can be ensured that within the stamp always fresh sealing fluid with the required properties (temperature, viscosity, etc.) is present.

The latter feature can be further developed in that the shaft also has a circuit belonging to the return channel, which begins in the flow direction of the sealing fluid just before the shoulder and is connected to the return channel · in the stamp at least in the position of the shaft in which the compound of Inflow channel is interrupted to the annulus. In this way it is ensured that fresh sealing fluid is always available in the immediate vicinity of the annulus

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stands. This reduces the risk that the sealing fluid solidifies on the way to the annulus.

It is also advantageous if the stamp is heated. In this way, it is even better to ensure that the sealing fluid, for example liquid gelatin, in the stamp and thus also in said annular space, has the desired properties. It can be provided, for example, an electric heater. Temperature fluctuations on the punch but can best prevent when the punch has Keizkanäle that are connected to a operated by a pump circulation system for a heating fluid.

The feature of the invention that the stamp head is fixedly connected to a shaft which is guided in an axial bore of the punch, can be further developed in that in the annular space between the punch head and the collar surfaces a wettable with the sealing fluid annular, expandable spring is arranged and the Collar surface is conical, so that the spring is pressed radially outwardly against the inner wall of the cap when the punch head is pressed against the end of the cap.

The latter development may be combined with the feature that the sealing fluid is introduced through the punch into the annular space. However, if the punch of the invention as each of the lower punch of the above-described known sealing machine between an upper working position and a lower rest position is movable up and down, the spring with the sealing fluid can also be wetted by the fact that the stamp in its rest position completely in a container ' immersed, is circulated in the sealing fluid.

The sealing fluid can be easily held in. The container at a predetermined temperature, and this temperature has substantially the same stamp, since it only needs to be raised for a relatively short time from the container to the spring against the inner wall of a cap Press, so that it is wetted with the sealing fluid.

Embodiments: '.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. It shows:

Figure 1 is a closing machine for plug capsules in plan view.

Fig. 2 is an oblique view of parts of the capping machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of Figure 2 in a vertical section;

4 shows the section IV-IV in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a Ve.rschließmaschine according to Figures 1 to 4 associated line diagram.

6 shows a modification of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. *

The sealing machine has the task of filling and sealing capsules. Each of the capsules consists of a capsule body and a cap C, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The capsule body has a similar shape, but a slightly smaller diameter and a greater length than the cap C. The capsules are supplied to the capping machine in a state in which the caps C are loosely attached to the capsule bodies, so that they are light from each other.

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To the closing machine according to Figures 1 and 2, a frame 1, in which a horizontal control shaft 2 is mounted. The control shaft 2 is connected to a gear motor 3 and carries a cam drum 4 with a trained on its circumference, helically ascending and descending groove 4 ¹ , which cooperates with rollers 5 'on a roller disc 5. The roller disc 5 is rotatably mounted in the frame Ί about a vertical axis and is rotated by the cam drum 4 at each Um-: rotation of the control shaft 2 by a certain angle, for example 45 °.

The rake disk 5 is connected by a spur gear 6 to a vertical shaft 7, which is likewise mounted in the frame 1, and to which a turntable 8 and above it a carousel 9 is fastened Each of the slides 10 is reciprocable with respect to the carousel 9 between a radially inner and a radially outer position, for this purpose an unillustrated drive is provided, which is also appropriately derived from the control shaft 2. has two juxtaposed vertically arranged upper bushes 11, which are also associated with two vertically arranged in the turntable 8 lower bushes 12. In the radially outer position of each slide 10, the upper bushes 11 are exactly vertical over the associated lower bushings 12. All so far described components and their movements are in machines for filling and closing of capsules known, so that a

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Further detailed description appears dispensable. ,

On the control shaft 2, a cam plate 13 is further attached, which has on its one end face an eccentric groove 13 '. The groove. 13 'controls a lever 14 which is pivotally mounted in the frame 1 and carries a plunger 15 which is guided vertically displaceable in the frame 1. In a corresponding manner controls a further, attached to the control shaft 2 cam 16 with an eccentric groove 16 ', a lever 17 which carries another, in the frame 1 vertically slidably guided plunger 18.

Around the turntable 8 and the carousel 9 is arranged at equal angular intervals, which coincide with the angular intervals, the slide 10, a number of stations, namely a feed station 19, in which the loose plugged-in capsules used in pairs in the bushings 11 of a slide 10 be a separation station 20, in which the caps C

x) and capsule bodies are separated from each other / a * station 21 for introducing a sealing fluid into the. Caps C, "a closing station 22, in which the capsule bodies and caps are reassembled and tightly closed, and finally a dispensing station 23, in which the sealed capsules are ejected from the cans 11. The said stations are with the exception of the station 21 for insertion a sealing fluid in the caps C and are therefore not described in detail .. The station 21 takes in the example shown in the known machine a place that is located between the stations for filling on the one hand and for closing the sockets on the other.

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The station 21 for introducing a sealing fluid into the caps C has a traverse 25, which is attached to the plunger 15 and two vertically depending from her hanging punch 26 carries. The punches 26 have a distance from each other which coincides with the distance between the two sleeves 11 of each slider 10; As a result, let the upper punch 26 according to Figures 3 and 4 in the bushings 11 of that slider 10 lower, which is just in the station 21 and there seihe radially occupying the inner position. The details described below are shown mainly in Figures 3 and 4 !. '.

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Each sleeve 11 has a bore 28 whose diameter matches the outer diameter of the cap C and is significantly larger. As the diameter of the lower part of the associated punch 26. The slider 10 has for each of its two sleeves 11 a stepped bore 29 in which the respective sleeve 11 is guided axially displaceable and in which a compression spring 31 is accommodated, - Level 32 of the stepped bore is supported and presses against a flange 33 of the sleeve 11. The compression spring 31 endeavors to press the bushing 11 up against a stop plate 34 mounted on the slider 10. The associated punch 26 can be introduced by lowering the traverse 2 5 in.die 'sleeve 11 and is then able to push the sleeve 11 against the resistance of the compression spring 31 down; this has happened to some extent according to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Thus, the punch 26 in a downward movement of the crosshead 25 gradually increasing, down

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directed force can exert on the sleeve 11, a pressure ring 36 is screwed onto the upper part of the punch 26 and secured there in a selectable position against unintentional rotation. At the pressure ring 36, a compression spring 37 is supported, which presses on the middle part of the punch 26 axially slidably guided sleeve 38 down. The sleeve is designed bell-shaped below and encloses a further pressure ring 39 which is screwed from below onto the punch 26 and also secured in a selectable position against unintentional rotation. Normally, the compression spring 37 ensures that the sleeve 38 rests according to Figure 3 on the pressure ring 39. However, if the plunger 26 is pressed down beyond the position shown in FIG. 3, the increasing resistance of the compression spring 31 holds the bushing 11 tight, while the compression spring 37 is further compressed, so that the further downward movement of the plunger 26 is relatively displaced the sleeve 11 is; This relative movement is limited by the fact that the pressure ring 39 finally abuts against the upper end face of the sleeve 11. , '

The sleeve 11 has at its lower end a bore 28 narrowing collar 41, which prevents a cap inserted into the bore 28 C from falling out inadvertently. This collar 41 makes it possible, on the one hand, to remove the capsule body from the cap C in the separating mechanism 20 and, on the other hand, the collar 41 also forms a stop in the cap 21 for introducing a sealing fluid into the cap C, allowing the punch 26 to open the cap C to bring in accordance with Figure 4 in a well-defined position within the sleeve 11. ,

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The station 21 for introducing a sealing fluid further includes two below the turntable 8 vertically slidably guided on the rock bottom punch 51, which are pivotally connected to a bearing on the frame 1 rocker 52. The rocker 52 is pivotally connected via a linkage 53 with a cross member 54 which is secured to the plunger 18; the rocker 52 has the task to reverse the direction of movement of the plunger 18, so that the lower punch 51 each move in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the upper punch. This goal of having opposite vertical movements available at the station 21 could also be achieved without the rocker 52 if, for example, the cam 16 were changed; The illustrated embodiment, however, was based on the desire to change as little as possible on a machine available as standard.

The lower punch 51 are offset radially inwardly relative to the lower bushes 12 mounted in the turntable 8 and are aligned with the bushings 11 of the respective slider 10 in the station 21 when it assumes its radially inner position. So that the two lower punches 51 at each standstill of the turntable 8 and carousel 9 from below in zwex \ cans sf <f. can be retracted, the turntable 8 perpendicular to the holes, which are occupied by the bushes 11 in the radially inner position of the slider carrying them, holes 55 on.

Each of the punches 51 has a lower part 56, which is supported on the rocker 52, a middle part 57 screwed to it and a top part 58 screwed to it. The middle part 57 and upper part 58 have a bore 59 which is connected to the upper end of the upper part by a collar 61 comparable

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is tight. In the bore 59, a shaft 62 is guided axially displaceable and below a compression spring 63 is arranged, which tends to push the shaft 62 up against the collar 61. The shaft 62 has a. Pin 64 which projects through the collar 61 with radial play upwards and is screwed to a punch head 66.

The central portion 57 of the punch 51 has an inflow channel 67 and a reflux channel 68 for a sealing fluid. These channels are followed by longitudinal grooves 69 in the shaft 62, through which the Dichtfiuid can flow to the collar and in the apparent from Figure 4 position of the punch 51 further into an annular space 71 between the collar 61 and the punch head 66 to from there to get out to the inner wall of the cap C. At a short distance below the collar 61, a reflux channel 72 incorporated into the shaft 62 begins, which opens into the return channel 68 in the central part 57.

Middle part 57 and upper part 58 of the punch 51 also have inflow channels 73 and return channels 74 for a heating fluid, in the example shown hot water on.

The sealing fiddle is according to. Fig. 5 held in stock in a container 76 and from there by a pump 77, in the example shown, a peristaltic pump, and a feed line 78 in the inflow channel 67 of the two zusammengenörigen punch 51 promoted. From the return channels 68 of the plunger 51, the excess, ie not leaked through the annular space 71, Dichtfiuid flows back into the container 76. ,

When the plug capsule whose caps C are to be tightly connected to the capsule bodies

gelatin, the sealing fluid is preferably liquid gelatin which preferably has a viscosity of about 200 bloom in the container 76 at a temperature of about 50 ° C. The heating fluid is intended to maintain the plunger at a temperature at which the temperature and viscosity of the sealing fluid in the plunger change as little as possible relative to the state in the container 76.

For this purpose, the heating fluid is kept in a tank 81 with a thermostatically controlled heater 82 at a constant temperature of about 60 ^θ and from there by a pump 83 in constant circulation through a surrounding the container 76 heating jacket 84, then via supply lines 86 in the inflow channels 73 and from there through the return channels 74 and a return line 87 back into the tank 81 promoted.

The sealing fluid is prevented in the position shown in FIG. 3, which the shaft 62 normally assumes under the influence of the compression spring 63, from reaching the annular space 71, since the collar 61 forms a valve seat on which the shaft 62 as a valve body sealingly abuts with its upper end face. According to FIG. 3, the collar 41 provided at the lower end of the bushing 11 bears against a complementary conical surface 88, which is formed on it and extends downwards in the manner of a spherical surface 88, which is formed on the upper part 58 of the punch 51. Thereby, the sleeve Ί1, and with it the cap C, with respect to the punch 51 exactly centered. Now, if the upper punch 26 is lowered from its position according to Figure 3 in the position shown in Figure 4, he presses the cap C within the sleeve 11 down until the lower edge of

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Cap on the collar 41 is. In this downward movement, the cap C in turn pushes the punch head 66 down so far that a gap between the shaft 62 and the collar 61 is formed, while the annular space 61 narrows simultaneously in the axial direction. Through this narrowed annulus. Now, the sealing fluid flows out at a relatively high speed and is injected against the inner wall of the cap, so that there forms a ring of sealing fluid. Subsequently, the upper punch 26 is pulled back up again and the lower punch 51 down from the sleeve 11, and thus also from the cap C, pulled out. The subsequent steps are the usual in sealing machines of the type described and are therefore not described further.

In the variant shown in Fig.6 many components correspond to those shown in Figure 5 and are therefore provided with the same reference numerals; only the differences are described below:

In the container 76 for the sealing fluid, an inner container 91 'is arranged, whose upper edge is higher than the surface of the sealing fluid in the remaining parts of the container 76. In the inner container 91, a vertical punch guide 92 is arranged, on which a punch 93 is guided vertically displaceable , As can be seen in particular from FIG. 7, the punch 93 has, at its upper end, a conically tapering collar surface 94 and is overall tubular. In the punch 93, a shaft 95 is guided in a vertically displaceable manner, the upper end of which is in the form of a punch.

head 9 6 is formed. Between the plunger tube 9 6 and der.konischen collar surface 94, a preferably made of helically wound wire ring spring 97 is arranged. , , '

The punch 93 is connected to the linkage 53 via the rocker 52. The mobility of the rocker 52 and the punch 93 with simultaneous separation of the sealing fluid in the inner container 91 from the sealing fluid in the rest of the container 76 can be ensured by a membrane 98 ..

The punch 93 is completely immersed in the lower, in Figure 6 with full lines: drawn end position in the sealing fluid. The pump 77 constantly conveys sealing fluid from the parts of the container 76 located outside the inner container 91 from below into the inner container, so that the sealing fluid rises there along the ram 93 until it flows over the edge of the inner container. In this way, local temperature differences and resulting differences in viscosity of the sealing fluid in the area of the punch 93 are avoided. As a result, the plunger 93 is always wetted with usable sealing fluid when it is moved upwardly by the rocker 52 from the inner container 91. The main part of the sealing fluid runs downwardly along the upward movement of the punch 93; back into the inner container 91, but holds a certain amount of the sealing fluid between the coils of the annular spring 97th

In its Aufwärtsbeweg.ung penetrates the punch 93 of Figure 7 in a cap C, so that the punch head 96, as shown in the left part of Figure 7, applies to the inner wall of the cap, wherein the annular spring 97 the

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Inner wall not yet touched. Now, if the upper punch 26 moves with respect to the sleeve 11, and thus also with respect to the cap C, down to its right in Figure 7 drawn end position, it presses as in the embodiment of Figure 3 to the cap C down and this in turn pushes the punch head 96 with respect to the punch 93 down. The punch head 96 pushes the annular spring on the collar surface 94 down, wherein the. Ring spring expands because of the taper of the collar surface and applies to the inner wall of the cap C. In this case, the sealing fluid stored between the coils of the annular spring 97 wets the inner wall of the cap C and leaves on this a ring of sealing fluid when the punch is lowered again.

Both embodiments according to Figures 3 to 5 on the one hand and Fig.6 and 7 on the other hand have in common that no sealing fluid is discharged when due to a malfunction no cap C in the sleeve 27 inserted. In both embodiments, this is achieved in that the downward stroke of the upper punch 26 with respect to the sleeve 11 by the setting of .Druckrings 3 9 is limited such that the punch 2 6 is unable in the absence of a cap C, the punch head 66th or 96 so far with respect to the punch 51 or press down to move away the shaft 62 from the valve seat serving as collar 61 and the annular spring 97 to stretch. In both described embodiments of the invention is thus ensured that the inner wall of the sleeve 11 is not soiled with sealing fluid.

Claims (9)

2 E ur F ile: A capping machine for capsules comprising a capsule body and a cap, both preferably made of hard gelatin, with at least one bushing for holding and holding a cap and at least one punch coaxial with the bush, characterized in that the plunger ( 51; 93) in the cap (C) and has an axially displaceable on it and to the end of the cap biased punch head (66; 96) which can be pressed from the inside against the end of the cap and together with a collar surface (65 94) of the punch (51; 93) delimits an annular space (71) from which a sealing fluid is annularly received against the inner wall of the cap when the punch head is against the end the cap is pressed. '* i:; ' " 2. Sealing machine according to item 1, characterized g eke η η characterized in that the punch head (66; 96) is fixedly connected to a shaft (62; 95) which 'in an axial bore (59) of the punch (51; 93) led and by a. Spring (63) is supported. 3. closing machine according to item 2, characterized in that the shaft (62) as a valve ; Is formed body, which controls a in the plunger (51) leading to the annular space (71) inlet channel (67) for the sealing fluid, "Λ ξ" Α., Closing machine after; Item 3, characterized in that the shaft (62) has a shoulder, which is associated with a formed at the end of the punch (51.) collar (61) as a valve seat. 5. Sealing machine according to item 3 or 4, characterized in that the punch (51) has a reflux channel (68) for excess sealing fluid which, together with the inflow channel (67) operated by a pump (77) and heated by a reservoir ( 76) leading circuit system for the sealing fluid belongs. : 6. Closing machine according to item .5 in conjunction with item 4, characterized in that the shaft (62) also has a circulating system belonging return flow channel (72) which begins in the flow direction of the sealing fluid just before the shoulder and with the return channel ( 68) in the plunger (51) is connected at least in the position of the shaft (62) in which the connection of the inflow channel (67) to the annular space (71) is interrupted. | , 7. Closing machine according to one of the items 1 to 6, characterized in that the punch (51) is heated. , , ι 8. Closing machine according to item 7, characterized in that the punch (51) has heating channels (73,74) which are connected to one of a pump (S3) operated circulation system for a heating fluid. , , ' / 3 9. sealing machine according to item 2, characterized in that in the annular space between the punch head (96) and the collar surface (94) is wettable with the sealing fluid annular, expandable spring (97) and the collar surface is conical, so that the spring is pressed radially outward against the inner wall of the cap (C) when the punch head (93) is pressed against the end of the cap. 10. Closing machine according to item 9, wherein the punch between an upper working position and a lower rest position is movable up and down, characterized in that the punch (93) in its rest position completely immersed in a container (91), circulated in the sealing fluid becomes. BUU, gene 5627