Apparatus for applying a seal of tape to the opening of bottles or similar containers

Abstract: A combination of an apparatus for applying seals on the opening of bottles or similar containers, and a tape of sealing plastic material comprising: at least one applicator head (50), with at least a cavity, or a notch (51) whose shape is complementary to the opening (21) of the bottle (15) to be sealed; means for feeding the tape (16) between said cavity (51) and the opening (21) of a bottle; means for relative motion along the axes of the notch (51) or opening (21) of the applicator head (50) and of the bottle (15), in the two directions wherein the notch is fitted closely on the opening (21) and the applicator head (50) is displaced from said opening (21); means for feeding a succession of bottles (15) and for positioning them one after the other with their opening (21) being coaxial to the notch (51) of the operating head (50) ; the head having at least one face (150) with the opening (51) and being movable along the axis of said cavity (51); the tape (1,16) being unwound from a coil (52) and wound on a second coil (53); said operating head being positioned laterally staggered with respect to the axis connecting the axes of the two coils (52,53).

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for applying a seal of tape, to bottles or containers in combination with the tape as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1. Background of the invention Automatic lines for packaging liquid or solid products (generally but non necessarily foodstuffs) are well known, diffused, and extensively used in industry and (therefore) will not be described herein. However, in these lines, the containers (particularly for food contact packaging) must (or at least should) be washed and/or sterilized (or anyway accurately cleaned) before being filled: therefore, at the start of the packaging line, there is normally provided at least one washing step to clear the inside of containers of dust and/or other foreign matters, which may have penetrated them. Well-known washing steps are normally able to accomplish the task wherefore they are designed and implemented but they may (or might) exceptionally fail, with harmful effects (at least in terms of commercial impact and/or image) for product packagers and vendors; as an example, one might think of a pack (of a food or non food product), inside which a purchaser/user would find a foreign body, like (for example) a mouse, a lizard and/or one or more bugs. The jets of fluid under pressure (air and/or water), used in many well-known washing steps are not (or may not be) able to remove these foreign bodies, from the inside of a container, when they are large, or anyway as large as the mouth of the container. To this end, the expedient of applying a seal, made of a film of extensible material, is known from the application for international patent PCT No. WO96/23702. WO96/23702 discloses a device for sealing container openings, which permits to apply a stretch plastic film onto the openings to be sealed. Said device comprises a support, preferably flat-shaped, having at least one hole, on which is placed the stretch plastic film. Said film is held taut and adherent to the support by means of gluing, magnetic force, pressure, a counter pattern or in any other way. The device can bear marks or recognition messages, as well as a warning or an advertisement and can also be used for temporary sealing of containers. Relating to apparati for applying the seal, WO 86/03478 (corresponding to the preamble of claim 1) discloses an apparatus for covering articles with a film, comprising means for relatively moving a sheet of film toward a primary surface of an article. Said sheet and said primary surface are generally parallel to one another. The article shows a secondary surface substantially perpendicular to said primary surface. The said means for moving have an extent of sufficient length to move said film towards and past said primary surface and along said secondary surface. Furthermore the apparti comprises means for circumferentially restraining said film in a plane substantially parallel to said primary surface, whereby said means for restraining causes said film to stretch as said means for relatively moving passes said primary surface. Also document US 3,112,587 discloses an apparatus for closing and sealing the mouth of a container. The apparatus disclosed is an apparatus for aspplying a sheet of heat sealable material to the mouth of a container comprising a heat sealing head, menas for advancing a sheet of heat sealable material past the sealing head, means for selectively clamping the sheet of material around a central mouth spanning area, means for moving the head , the sheet material and the container relative to each other, to bring the head and the mouth of the container into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion of the sheet whereby to heat seal the same thereto, and means for thereafter moving the head and the container in unison relative to the clamping means with the head and container in engagement with opposite sides of the sheet to separate the mouth spanning portion from the sheet. The relative motion of the clamping means, of the head and of the bottle is achieved by actively displacing each of this parts. The invention is based on the problem to improve the operations of sealing bottles or containers, before they are filled and closed in a packaging line, in such a way that these operations may be mass-implemented, in a specific line, or a part of line upstream from the line for filling and closing the containers, the whole in a simple and cheap way, both as regards the material in use, and the construction of the line, and allowing for a reduced environmental impact. The invention achieves the above purposes by providing an apparatus for mass-applying the sealing film on the mouth of bottles or similar containers, which uses a tape for mass-sealing bottles or similar containers according to the characterising part of claim 1. Here also, there are provided several possible embodiments, which form the subject of the following description and of the dependent claims. The rigid element, having one surface provided with a hole, has associated means for feeding the tape, unwound from the coil, and for carrying it to an interposed position between the rigid element, i.e. its surface provided with a hole, and the opening of the container, said position being such that each hole of the support tape is sequentially carried coaxially to the hole in the rigid element. Advantageously, downstream from the rigid element, there is provided a coil for recovering the tape once the part of film applied as a seal on the opening of the container, has been removed. Further improvements and possible variants in construction of the apparatus for the application of the seal on the containers will form the subject of the dependent claims. The characteristics of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom will be more apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiments, illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a simplified embodiment of the apparatus with a tape according to the invention. Figures 1 to 3 show an apparatus with a tape according to the invention, particularly but not exclusively fit for being used in combination with a simple tape 16. This tape is particulalrly formed by an extensible plastomeric laminar tape, of the type used for food wraps. The width of said tape 16 must be at least equal to the diameter of the openings to be sealed 21, plus the width of two margins, being wide enough as to enable, as will be seen hereafter, an easy grasp by the apparatus fit for the application (fig. 2). These margins will allow the plastomer in use to be sufficiently stretched before being torn, therefore prior to the separation of the portion of the tape applied on the container opening. The thickness of the film forming the extensible plastomeric tape 16 generally depends on the type of opening 21 to be sealed, on sealing requirements, on ambient temperature and on the temperature of containers, on the diameter of the openings 21 of said containers and on sealing speed, i.e. rate. Furthermore, the quality of the extensible plastomer also influences the above mentioned parameters, and hence the choice of the film thickness. Moreover, in order to obtain a better separation of the membrane adhering to the opening 21 of the sealed container 15, the extensible plastomeric tape 16 may be provided with successions of holes or microholes, which holes or microholes are arranged along closed lines, being concentric with respect to the openings 21 of the containers 15 to be sealed. Said circular closed lines of holes have a diameter longer than that of the openings 21 of the containers 15 to be sealed. Said successions of holes or microholes may also be advantageously replaced by any proper weakening of the membrane, such as by material removal, all through the thickness thereof or not, in the form of dashes, or even annular grooves, therefore by simply thinning the membrane. In order to allow the membrane to be torn at predetermined locations, once it is applied on the opening 21 to be sealed, with no excessive elongation of the plastic material, this tape 16 is provided with successions of holes or microholes, or with equivalent weakening areas, in the form of any suitable material removal, or even of grooves, obtained by pressing suitable matrices thereon, along closed lines, being concentric with respect to the openings 21 of the containers 15 fed for being sealed, and with respect to holes 51, formed on the plane surfaces 150 of the applicatior head 50 of the apparatus fit for the application of tapes 1, 16, as will be apparent from the following description of said apparatus, and having diameters equal to or shorter than the diameter of said holes 51, but longer than the diameter of the openings 21 of the bottles 15 or similar containers to be sealed. Referring to figures 1 to 3 the apparatus is provided with an applicator head 50, having at least one plane surface, with a notch 51 having a predetermined depth. The applicator head is supported is such a way as to project and be able to slide alternately in the two directions, parallel to the axis of the notch 51. Advantageously, in this embodiment, the notch has a cylindrical shape. The simple tape 16, for example a common film, made either of an extensible plastic material, of the type being used for food contact, easily available on the market, or of the type according to the present invention, is unwound from a coil 52, passed along the surface of the head 50, which has appropriately rounded edges, and advanced towards a roller for winding scrap tape or film, indicated as 53. In this case, the tape 16 or film is advanced around the operating head 50, so as to form a curve and to stretch the film, making it adhere against the surface of the operating head 50. The two reels 52, 53 are mounted on unwinding/winding axes, suitably synchronized to allow the tape to advance as previously described with reference to the first embodiment of the apparatus. Tension may be provided either by a corresponding differential rotation between the axes of the two rollers 52, 53, or by the provision of a brake on the axis of the unwinding roller 52. As is apparent, this embodiment is very simple and certainly effective. It ensures mass-application of the sealing membrane on the openings 21 of any container. Further, whenever the format or type of container is changed, the applicator head 50 is much more easily replaced. According to an advantageous embodiment, the applicator head 50 may have a polyhedral shape, with a plurality of faces, extending tangential to a cylindrical surface, whereas the head is mounted in such a way as to be movable not only parallel to the axis of the notches 51, formed in said faces, but also angularly about an axis which coincides with the axis of the cylinder tangent to said faces 151. If geometrically possible, i.e. if the geometry of the applicator head 50 has two parallel and diametrically opposite faces 150, the notches may be formed as through holes, having a desired shape and diameter. In this case, besides advancing the tape 16 or film along the applicator head 50, the latter may be also rotated to such an extent as to bring the next face to the operating position of the previous face. The applicator head 50 is projectingly supported by a shaft 54, which is carried, together with the rotary drive, by sliding means, parallel to the axis of the notches. This embodiment also allows the provision of different notches on the same applicator head 50, which are brought to the operating position, when needed, by a simple rotation. The surface/s 150 and/or the connection edges are conformed in such a way as to obtain the highest adherence of the tape thereon, so as to assist the gripping effect. The surfaces may be made of metal or of a suitable plastic material, particularly properly smoothed or of a type fit for generating also an electrostatic adherence of the tape. The single-layer tape 16, made of an extensible material, may consist of a film of extensible plastic, of the type widely available for domestic use, and commonly present on the market. The rotating applicator head 50 may also be used to control automatic gauged unwinding of the tape 16 or film, whereas the roller 53 for winding the scrap tape must simply recover the length of exceeding tape delivered by the applicator head 50. To this end, the tape 16 or film cooperate with the edges of the polygonal applicator head 50, acting as driving teeth and engaging the elastically extensible film. The sealing membrane is torn from the tape 16 or film, as described above. Sealing The sealing method with the tapes 16 and with the apparatus for the mass-application thereof, which form the subject of the present invention makes use of a container feed system, mainly but not exclusively of the belt-driven type. This system may be advantageously be one of the systems currently in use in existing equipment, being used for filling bottles or other containers, for closing them with plugs, for example capsules, or other types of plugs, as well as for labeling bottles or containers. In this case, the existing equipment is provided generally with belt conveyors combined with mechanisms for applying various plugs or capsules, in a cyclic movement. Advantageously, the apparatus for mass-applying seals according to the invention may be incorporated in said equipment, making use of the container conveyor system, as well as, if possible, of the mechanisms which drive the operating units for plug application, which may be used for driving the apparatus described above. Therefore, the feed system of said equipment may have one or more apparati for application of the tape 16 according to the invention, combined therewith, instead of the usual elements for application of traditional plugs or capsules. The apparatus, appropriately driven, will apply the membranes of the tape 16 on the openings 21 of the containers 15, which are sequentially fed at synchronous intervals, under the apparatus. More in detail, the application of said sealing membranes is executed as follows: The tape 16, available in coils is properly unwound and fed with discrete movements, i.e. in steps, each covering a distance corresponding to that between two adjacent weakening closed lines. These discrete advancements are followed by synchronized stops. Any appropriate mechanical actuator, appropriately controlled, even by marks on the tape 16, feeds the weakening closed lines 23, concentrically with respect to the holes 51 of the plane surfaces. When the tape 16 stops, the apparatus will press the sealing membrane stretched to the opening 21 of the containers 15 to be sealed. As this movement continues, the sealing membrane will first contact the edge of the opening 21. As the movement progresses, the membrane will be stretched and made to firmly adhere to the edge, until the intensity of the force applied causes the membrane to be torn along a closed line around or near the edge of the opening 21. Said tearing effect may be, as previously mentioned, be assisted or located by annular successions of holes or microholes or other weakening areas. Once the membrane is applied and torn, the the apparatus head will move up again, in the opposite direction.

Claims: A combination of an apparatus for repeatedly applying seals on the opening of bottles or similar containers to be sealed, and a tape, the apparatus being fit for mass-sealing them with a tape of sealing plastic material and comprising: a) at least one applicator head (50), having at least a cavity, or a notch (51) whose shape is complementary to the opening (21) of the bottle (15) or similar container to be sealed; b) means for feeding the tape (1, 16) between said cavity (51) and the opening (21) of a bottle or similar container; c) means for relative motion along the axes of the notch (51) or opening (21) of the applicator head (50) and of the bottle or container (15), in the two directions wherein the notch is fitted closely on the opening zone (21) and the applicator head (50) is displaced from said opening (21); d) means for feeding a succession of bottles (15) or similar containers, and for positioning them one after the other with their opening (21) being coaxial or substantially coaxial to the notch (51) of the operating head (50) e) the applicator head having at least one face (150), in which the cavity or notch (150) is formed, and is supported so as to be movable along the axis of said cavity (51), i.e. substantially perpendicular to said face (150); f) the tape (1, 16) being unwound from a coil (52) and wound on a second coil (53), said operating head being provided in a laterally staggered position with respect to the axis connecting the axes of the two coils (52, 53), in order to force the tape to form a curve; characterised in that g) The operating head (50) has rounded edges and the tape is passed along the surface of the operating head (50) and is advanced around the operating head (50) so as to form a curve and to stretch the tape (16) making it adhere against the surface of the operating head (50). A combination as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two coils (52, 53), exert a tensioning force on the tape (1, 16). A combination as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the operating head has a plurality of faces (150) being tangential to a cylinder, whose axis is an axis of rotation (54), which is parallel to the faces (150), whereas each face (150) has a notch (51). A combination as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the operating head (50) is rotated through steps which advance one face at a time to the operating position, engaging the tape (1, 16) while rotatingly driving it, whereas the winding coil (53) recovers at least the exceeding tape downstream from the operating head (50). A combination as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each face (150) of the operating head (50) has a notch (51) having a different shape and size for a particular opening (21) of a particular type of container (15), whereas the operating head (50) is adapted to the particular type of container (15), through a rotation which brings the face (15) provided with the suitable notch (51) to the operating position. A combination as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the surface/s (150) of the applicator head (50) and/or the edges of said surface and/or the connection areas between said surfaces (150) are shaped in such a way as to obtain the highest adherence against one face of the tape (16). A combination as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the surfaces (150) are made of material, being smoothed or machined in such a way as to obtain an adhering and gripping effect on the tape (16). A combination as claimed in claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the surfaces (150) are machined in such a way that they may exert an electrostatic adhesion force on the tape of material (16). A combination as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the applicator head is provided in combination with a single-layer extensible tape (16), of the type available for domestic use.

Inventors: RIBI LEON ANTOINE, RIBI, LEON ANTOINE
Applicants: RIBI PACK SPA
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65B7
IPC codes: B65B7, B67B3, B67B7