Patent Description:
The apparatus and method of the present invention are able to form closing systems provided with a barrier element disposed on the internal side of the system which faces toward the mouth of the container, as well as with an anti-tampering ring that detects the first opening of the containers.

Machines are known in the state of the art for producing closing systems for containers that are usually configured as re-closable caps that engage with the neck surrounding the opening of a container, from which the product contained therein can exit.

The reciprocal engagement between the cap and the neck of the container can be obtained by means of a thread in the case of screw caps, or by means of mechanical interference in the case of caps with pressure closing.

In general, it is provided to produce the caps by means of molding operations of plastic or metal materials which are able to deform by compression respectively the dose of resin or the metal sheet in order to give the cap the desired shape and characteristics.

The machines suitable for making these products, which have a very low economic unit value, operate at high or very high speeds to make production economically convenient.

The caps in question comprise a barrier element, also called a "liner", configured to keep the container hermetically sealed so as to prevent oxygen from entering inside it, inducing degradation of the product and ruining its organoleptic characteristics. Examples of this type of caps are described in US patent documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

Typically, the barrier element can consist of a laminar layer of aluminum, in particular shaped like a disk, or of an element made of plastic material. In both cases, the barrier element usually adheres to the internal face of the cap which faces - when the container is in the closed condition - toward the opening of the container in order to hermetically seal it.

The adhesion of the barrier element to the cap is typically obtained by the action of heat which, by heating the barrier element, allows to activate a layer of adhesive substance disposed upon it so as to make it adhere to the surface of the cap below it. This operation is particularly delicate because on the one hand the quantity of heat must be sufficient to ensure a firm adhesion of the barrier element to the cap and on the other hand an excessive quantity of heat, which damages the barrier element and/or the cap itself, must be prevented.

Another characteristic of caps known in the state of the art is that they comprise an anti-tampering strip which reveals the integrity of the container. Usually, the anti-tampering strip is configured as an annular element which is attached around the neck of the container and is joined to the re-closable cap by means of a plurality of breakable connections, called in jargon "bridges". When the container is first opened, the breakable elements break and the cap is separated from the anti-tampering strip, which remains anchored to the neck of the container so as to allow an immediate visual confirmation indicating whether the container has already been opened for a first time or not.

The production of the anti-tampering strip and the association of the barrier element with the cap are operations that require dedicated processing steps in correspondence with respective processing stations.

It is obvious that the creation of these closing systems increases the complexity, the overall sizes and the overall costs of the system for their production, ultimately increasing the unit cost thereof.

There is therefore a need to perfect an apparatus and a method to produce closing systems for containers that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to make available an apparatus for producing closing systems that has limited overall sizes and can, if necessary, be easily integrated into a plant to produce such systems.

Another purpose of the present invention is to make available an apparatus, and to perfect a method, for producing closing systems for containers, able to achieve high or very high productivity, in the order of magnitude of at least several hundred units produced per minute, or even more.

Another purpose is to make available an apparatus, and to perfect a method, for producing closing systems for containers able to guarantee optimal adhesion of the barrier element to the closing system.

Another purpose is to make available an apparatus, and to perfect a method, which allows to intervene effectively on the anti-tampering strip of the closing system in order to prepare it in an optimal manner for subsequent attachment to the neck of the container.

In accordance with the above purposes, the invention concerns an apparatus for producing closing systems for containers.

The closing systems in question comprise an anti-tampering strip configured to be attached to an opening of a container, and a closing body configured to close the containers hermetically. Preferably, the closing body is hinged to the anti-tampering strip so that the closing body can rotate between a position in which the container is open, in which it is distanced from the anti-tampering strip, and a position in which the container is closed, in which the closing body is alongside the strip.

According to the invention, the apparatus comprises:.

The welding and deformation station is configured to weld a barrier element to the closing body and to shape at least one flexible annular portion of the anti-tampering strip.

With the expression "barrier element" we mean to characterize this element in a functional way, since its presence allows the closing system to close the container with a hermetic seal, constituting a barrier to the entry of oxygen inside it, which could degrade the organoleptic characteristics of the product contained therein and significantly damage it.

According to possible embodiments, the barrier element can be configured as a flat or laminar element, for example with a circular shape, made as an aluminum disc. However, barrier elements with different shapes and/or made of other suitable materials, even different from aluminum, should not be excluded.

According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a manipulation member configured to pick up the barrier element in the forming station and take it in the welding and deformation station, and to subsequently attach the barrier element to the closing body, and a deformation member configured so that it can be driven between an inactive position, distant from the closing system, and a work position. In the latter, the deformation member presses into contact on a flexible annular portion of the anti-tampering strip in order to fold it back inside the closing system.

According to the invention, the apparatus comprises a control unit connected to the manipulation member and to the deformation member, and programmed to command the functioning of the manipulation member and of the deformation member in a coordinated manner, so that such members respectively attach the barrier element onto the closing body and exert a pressure on the flexible annular portion in the welding and deformation station while the gripping unit is stationary in a same predetermined position, holding the closing system.

An advantage of the apparatus according to the present invention is that it is more compact and has reduced overall sizes compared to known solutions, thanks to the fact that it integrates both the welding of the barrier element to the closing body and also the shaping operations to be performed on the anti-tampering strip in a single station.

The apparatus according to the present invention therefore advantageously allows to produce closing systems provided with the desired characteristics of hermeticity and safety.

According to another aspect of the apparatus, the barrier element is attached to the closing body by means of induction welding, when the barrier element is placed in contact with the closing body and kept pressed against the latter by the manipulation member.

To this end, according to possible embodiments described here, the welding and deformation station comprises a support plane for the closing systems in proximity to which there are disposed electromagnetic induction welding means.

This configuration of the apparatus is advantageous because it allows to activate the layer of adhesive substance that allows the barrier element to be attached to the closing body.

In some embodiments of the closing systems, another layer of adhesive substance is also provided on the side of the barrier element exposed to view, which during use faces the mouth of the container. In these embodiments, the mouth can be closed in turn by another barrier element, for example similar in structure to the barrier element attached to the closing body.

This other barrier element usually has to be removed manually by the user when opening the container for the first time. To prevent the dispersion of this other barrier element into the environment, some containers can provide its automatic removal when the closing body is first opened. This can be achieved by making the barrier element attached to the closing body adhere to the other barrier element placed to close the mouth, thanks to the presence of the other layer of adhesive substance mentioned above.

The apparatus according to the present invention is also suitable to produce these embodiments of the closing systems.

In fact, the attachment of the barrier element to the closing body by means of electromagnetic induction welding has the advantage of preventing the simultaneous activation of the other layer of adhesive substance able to adhere, in a subsequent moment, to the other barrier element placed to close the mouth of the container.

It is quite clear that - if the welding step that attaches the barrier element to the closing body also activated the other layer of adhesive substance able to make the two barrier elements adhere to each other - this other layer would lose, in whole or in part, its adhesion properties, effectively making the subsequent reciprocal adhesion of the two barrier elements impossible.

According to another aspect, the forming station can be configured to simultaneously form a plurality of barrier elements, which are disposed along an oblique line with respect to a feed sense of the sheet of material.

This embodiment of the forming station is advantageous since it allows to minimize the processing waste, so as to optimize the consumption of the sheet material and reduce its costs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided to produce a closing system for containers comprising the steps of:.

According to one aspect of the method in accordance with the present invention, the shaping step as above provides that the deformation member exerts a pressure on a flexible annular portion of the anti-tampering strip configured to be attached to the container, so as to fold the annular flexible portion back inside the closing system, toward the wall of the closing body, while the closing system is kept stationary in a same predetermined position in the welding and deformation station.

According to another aspect of the method, the attachment of the barrier element to the wall of the closing body occurs by means of electromagnetic induction welding.

According to another aspect of the method, the attachment of the barrier element to the closing body by the manipulation member occurs while the flexible annular portion is folded back into the closing system by the deformation member.

The embodiments described here with reference to the attached <FIG> concern an apparatus for producing a closing system for containers, which is indicated as a whole with reference number <NUM>.

In order to better understand the inventive concept of the present invention, before describing the apparatus <NUM> and the corresponding method in detail, we will now describe an example of a closing system that can be produced using the apparatus <NUM>, it being understood that the present invention is not limited to this example and that the invention can be used to process many other types of closing systems, of a type already known or which will be developed in the future.

With reference to <FIG>, below we describe, by way of a non-limiting example, a closing system that can be produced by means of the apparatus <NUM>. In these drawings, the closing system, which hereafter is also called "cap" for the sake of brevity, is indicated as a whole with reference number <NUM>.

Each cap <NUM> comprises an anti-tampering strip <NUM> and a closing body <NUM>, or lid, connected to the anti-tampering strip <NUM> by means of a plurality of frangible elements <NUM> able to break when the container is first opened. Preferably, the closing body <NUM> is hinged to the anti-tampering strip <NUM> along a hinging zone <NUM>, so that it can rotate between an opening position (<FIG>), in which it is moved away from the anti-tampering strip, and a closing position (<FIG>), in which it is coupled to the anti-tampering strip <NUM>. In this way, the closing body <NUM> is never completely detached from the anti-tampering strip, so as to prevent the unwanted dispersion of these components in the environment.

Each frangible element <NUM> is interposed between two slits <NUM> which are interposed between the anti-tampering strip <NUM> and the closing body <NUM>. The alternating sequence of frangible elements <NUM> and slits <NUM> extends substantially along the entire perimeter of the cap <NUM>, with the exception of the hinging zone <NUM>.

The closing body <NUM> comprises a lateral wall <NUM> and a bottom wall <NUM>, which during use is able to be disposed directly above the mouth of the container.

A sealing lip <NUM> with a circular shape is created on the bottom wall <NUM>, which during use projects from the closing wall <NUM> toward the mouth of the container so as to hermetically close the latter thanks to the cooperation with a corresponding top annular edge, not shown, made on the neck of the container.

The cap <NUM> comprises a barrier element <NUM>, for example made of aluminum and with a circular shape. The barrier element <NUM> is surrounded by the sealing lip <NUM>.

A first adhesive layer S1 is provided (<FIG>), configured to allow the barrier element <NUM> to be attached to the closing body <NUM>, in particular to its bottom wall <NUM>.

In some embodiments, which can also be obtained by means of the apparatus <NUM> and the method described here, a second adhesive layer S2 is also provided (<FIG>) configured to allow the subsequent adhesion of the barrier element <NUM> to another barrier element, not shown, disposed on the mouth of the container in order to close it hermetically.

The anti-tampering strip <NUM> comprises a flexible annular portion <NUM>, configured to be folded back inside the cap <NUM>, that is, toward the internal side of the closing body <NUM>, as indicated schematically by the arrows F in <FIG>. To allow the flexible annular portion <NUM> to be folded back toward the inside, a preformed intended folding line <NUM> is provided, which separates it from the remaining portion of the anti-tampering strip <NUM>.

Thanks to the folded back conformation of the flexible annular portion <NUM>, the anti-tampering strip <NUM> remains anchored to the neck of the container, even after the first opening, without the risk of it being dispersed into the environment, polluting it. In addition, the fact that the anti-tampering strip <NUM> remains associated with the container even during use, allows it to be sent to the correct differentiated disposal, together with the container and the closing system, facilitating the disposal operations to be carried out by the user.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a transport system for the caps <NUM>, which is indicated with reference number <NUM> and is configured to transport the caps <NUM> along a feed path P, which extends between an inlet station S' and an outlet station S" (<FIG>). The inlet station S' is configured to receive the caps <NUM>, for example disposed in bulk or aligned in an orderly manner, from a feed element <NUM> that feeds the caps <NUM>. The outlet station S" is, on the other hand, configured to release the caps <NUM> to a suitable outlet element <NUM> which moves the caps <NUM> away from the apparatus <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the elements <NUM>, <NUM> are for example configured as horizontal or slightly inclined planes equipped with suitable means, for example vibrating or suchlike, to determine the feed of the caps <NUM> in the sense indicated by the arrows.

In the example provided here, the transport system <NUM> is configured as a conveyor <NUM>, for example of the belt or chain type, to which a plurality of gripping units <NUM> (<FIG>) for gripping the caps <NUM> are attached. By way of a non-limiting example, the gripping units <NUM> are configured as selectively openable and re-closable pliers or jaws, so that each one can respectively release or hold a respective cap <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> (<FIG>) comprises a welding and deformation station <NUM> in correspondence with which both the welding of the barrier element <NUM> to the closing body <NUM> and also the folding of the flexible annular portion <NUM> back toward the inside occur, as will be described in greater detail below with particular reference to the operating sequence shown in <FIG>. The welding and deformation station <NUM> is disposed along the feed path of the caps <NUM>, in a position such as to be interposed between the inlet station S' and the outlet station S".

The apparatus <NUM> also comprises a forming station <NUM> configured to shear a sheet of material A, in a manner that will be described in greater detail below with reference to <FIG>, in order to produce the barrier elements <NUM>. The forming station <NUM> is in particular configured to produce barrier elements <NUM> in aluminum, laminar, with a shape and sizes correlated to those of the closing body <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises a manipulation member <NUM> of the barrier element <NUM> and a deformation member <NUM> configured to act on the flexible annular portion <NUM> of the anti-tampering strip <NUM>. As will be described in greater detail below, in relation to the description of the method according to the present invention, the manipulation member <NUM> attaches the barrier element <NUM> onto the closing body <NUM> and the deformation member <NUM> folds back the flexible annular portion <NUM> in correspondence with a same predetermined position, in the welding and deformation station <NUM>.

The manipulation member <NUM> comprises a head <NUM> provided with one or more ducts <NUM> connected to a suction system, so that the head <NUM> is able to temporarily hold a respective barrier element <NUM> by suction.

The deformation member <NUM> is shaped as an annular deformation element provided with a folder edge <NUM>, which is also annular, configured to contact the flexible annular portion <NUM> in order to fold it back inside the cap <NUM>.

As better visible in <FIG> and <FIG>, the deformation member <NUM> is disposed around the manipulation member <NUM>.

Specifically, the deformation member <NUM> and the manipulation member <NUM> develop coaxially with respect to each other around a common longitudinal axis X, and they are mobile with respect to each other in a direction parallel to such longitudinal axis X.

The deformation member <NUM> and the manipulation member <NUM> are mounted on a common support arm <NUM> which is mobile in such a way as to alternatively take the deformation member <NUM> and the manipulation member <NUM> into the welding and deformation station <NUM> and into the forming station <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> comprises actuator members <NUM>, of a type known in the state of the art or which will be developed in the future, such as for example electric motors, which are associated with the mobile arm <NUM> to determine the movement of the latter.

In particular, the mobile arm <NUM> performs a rotation movement, indicated by the arrow R in <FIG>, around an axis of actuation Z. Furthermore, the mobile arm <NUM> also performs a translation movement T in a vertical direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis X, as indicated by the corresponding arrow in <FIG>.

The apparatus <NUM> also comprises a support plane <NUM> configured to receive the caps <NUM> resting on it.

In particular, the support plane <NUM> extends for a segment of the feed path of the caps <NUM>, in correspondence with the welding and deformation station <NUM>.

One or more electromagnetic induction coils <NUM> (<FIG>) are disposed in proximity to the support plane <NUM>, configured to attach the barrier element <NUM> to the closing body <NUM> by means of induction welding when the barrier element <NUM> is placed in contact with the closing body <NUM> and kept pressed against the latter by the manipulation member <NUM>.

Preferably, the electromagnetic induction coils <NUM> are disposed immediately below the support plane <NUM>, for example at an indicative distance of a few millimeters from such plane, in particular of about <NUM> or <NUM> millimeters.

In this way, the force lines of the magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic induction coils <NUM> strike the barrier element <NUM>, and in particular the first layer of adhesive substance S1 which has to be activated, with high intensity, such as to allow a firm attachment of the barrier element <NUM> onto the closing body <NUM> by induction welding, in extremely short welding times.

The support plane <NUM> is made of heat-resistant, non-magnetic plastic or metal materials, such as for example PEEK, Teflon, titanium coated with a non-stick coating, such as Teflon or suchlike.

Preferably, the head <NUM> for holding the barrier element <NUM> is also made with the same type of material as the support plane <NUM>, such as for example those listed above.

This allows to prevent the support plane <NUM> and the head <NUM> from overheating by convection or radiation during the functioning of the apparatus <NUM>, due to the heat generated in correlation to the magnetic field originating from the electromagnetic induction coils <NUM>.

The apparatus also comprises one or more centering members, indicated schematically by reference number <NUM> in <FIG>, disposed in correspondence with the welding and deformation station <NUM>, and each configured to laterally clamp a respective cap <NUM>, at least while it is stationary in the same predetermined position described above, so that the cap <NUM> is centered with respect to the longitudinal axis X. In the example provided here, ten centering members <NUM> are provided, organized into two groups of five centering members <NUM> acting from opposite sides of the caps <NUM>, please see the plan view of <FIG>. In particular, five centering members <NUM> are disposed on one side with respect to the longitudinal axes X, and the other five centering members <NUM> are disposed on the opposite side with respect to such axes.

In the example in question, a group of five centering members <NUM> is mobile toward and away from the longitudinal axis X, for example the one disposed above the longitudinal axis X, as indicated by the arrows Y in <FIG>, in order to selectively clamp or release the caps <NUM>. In other variants, not shown, it can be provided to move all the centering members with respect to the longitudinal axis X.

In the example provided here, the welding and deformation station <NUM> comprises five manipulation members <NUM>, configured to manipulate as many barrier elements <NUM>, and five deformation members <NUM>, all supported by the same support arm <NUM>. In this way, the welding and deformation station <NUM> is able to process five caps <NUM> at the same time. Since the number of centering members <NUM> is correlated to the number of members <NUM>, <NUM>; in this case, two rows of five centering members <NUM> are provided, so that the two rows act on the caps <NUM> from opposite sides.

It is quite clear that, in other embodiments, not shown, the welding and deformation station <NUM> is configured in such a way as to comprise a different number of manipulation members <NUM> and deformation members <NUM>, and consequently also of centering members <NUM>.

The forming station <NUM> is also configured in such a way as to simultaneously shear a plurality of barrier elements <NUM>. Preferably, the forming station <NUM> is configured in such a way as to simultaneously shear a number of barrier elements <NUM> equivalent to the number of caps <NUM> simultaneously processed in the welding and deformation station <NUM>, that is, five barrier elements <NUM> in the example shown in the attached drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, the barrier elements <NUM> sheared simultaneously in the forming station <NUM> are disposed along an oblique line, that is, inclined, with respect to a direction of feed of the sheet of material A from which the barrier elements <NUM> are sheared.

With reference to <FIG>, the forming station <NUM> comprises a plate <NUM> provided with one or more through holes <NUM>, each configured to be passed through by a respective barrier element <NUM>. The holes <NUM>, with a circular shape, have a diameter substantially equal to that of the barrier elements <NUM> and preferably have a slight upward flaring, that is, in the exit direction of the sheared barrier element <NUM>.

The forming station <NUM> also comprises a shearing punch <NUM> vertically mobile in a bi-directional manner, to shear a corresponding barrier element <NUM>.

The shearing punch <NUM> comprises at least one suction duct <NUM> suitable to connect the active surface of the shearing punch <NUM> that shears the barrier element <NUM> with a suction system.

The forming station <NUM> also comprises a clamping member <NUM> configured to selectively clamp the sheet of material A against the plate <NUM>, at least while the shearing punch <NUM> performs the shearing. In order to do this, the abutment element <NUM> is also vertically mobile, in a bi-directional manner, parallel to the direction of movement of the punch <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> also comprises a programmable control unit <NUM>, schematized in <FIG>, which is configured to command at least the functioning of the manipulation members <NUM> and the deformation members <NUM> in a coordinated manner. More specifically, the control unit <NUM> is programmed in such a way as to also control the functioning of the actuator members <NUM> that command the movement of the support arm <NUM>, and that of the forming station <NUM> in a reciprocally coordinated manner.

The method to produce closing systems <NUM> in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is described below, with particular reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Initially, the support arm <NUM> takes the manipulation members <NUM> above the forming station <NUM>.

Here, the support arm <NUM> is lowered to allow the manipulation members <NUM> to receive the barrier elements <NUM> sheared from the sheet of material A.

In order to shear the barrier elements <NUM>, first the clamping members <NUM> move upward, so as to temporarily clamp the sheet of material A against the plate <NUM>. While the sheet of material A is kept clamped, the punches <NUM> also move upward and penetrate inside a respective hole <NUM> in order to shear the barrier elements <NUM>. It should be noted that the latter are held resting on the punch <NUM> by suction, thanks to a suction flow through the suction duct <NUM>, they are moved toward a corresponding manipulation member <NUM>.

When the barrier element <NUM> is released by the punch <NUM> to the head <NUM> of the manipulation member <NUM>, the suction action that holds the barrier element on the punch <NUM> ceases, and the suction action that allows the head <NUM> to hold the barrier element <NUM>, thanks to the presence of the suction ducts <NUM>, is activated.

Subsequently, the support arm <NUM> takes the manipulation members <NUM>, the heads <NUM> of which are holding respective barrier elements <NUM>, above the welding and deformation station <NUM> (<FIG>).

Subsequently, the support arm <NUM> is lowered until the head <NUM> takes the barrier element <NUM> to rest on the bottom wall <NUM>, and presses it against the closing body <NUM> in order to attach it to the latter (<FIG>).

Subsequently, the support arm <NUM> continues its downward movement so as to cause the deformation members <NUM> to lower until coming into contact with the flexible annular portion <NUM> and fold it back toward the inside of the cap <NUM> (<FIG>). Please note that in this condition the manipulation member <NUM> is retracted, so that the head <NUM> is at least in partly inside the deformation member <NUM>.

Furthermore, at least in the condition shown in <FIG>, the electromagnetic induction coils <NUM> are activated to determine the welding of the barrier element <NUM> onto the closing body <NUM> thanks to the activation of the first layer of adhesive substance S1. This type of welding, as stated, advantageously allows to prevent activating the second layer of adhesive substance S2 in order not to compromise its subsequent adhesive action at the time of connection with the other barrier element placed so as to close the mouth of the container.

The person of skill in the art will easily understand that the electromagnetic induction coils <NUM> are activated according to a pulsed mode, known in the state of the art, which makes their use compatible with the very short cycle times and the high operating speeds that the apparatus <NUM> functions at.

Finally, the support arm <NUM>, and with it the manipulation members <NUM> and the deformation members <NUM>, moves upward (<FIG>) after the barrier element <NUM> has been attached onto the closing body by means of induction welding and the flexible annular portion <NUM> has been folded back, in order to return toward the forming station <NUM>. More specifically, in a preferred embodiment, at first it is provided that the deformation members <NUM> retract upward while the manipulation members <NUM> are still in contact with the barrier element <NUM>, in order to prevent the deformation members <NUM> from extracting the closing body <NUM> from the gripping unit <NUM>. Subsequently, the manipulation members <NUM> are also moved upward with a relative movement with respect to the deformation members <NUM>, in fact sliding inside the latter. One or more elastic elements can be provided, such as for example springs, not shown, to cushion the upward movement of the manipulation members <NUM>.

Thereafter, the caps <NUM> leave the welding and deformation station <NUM> and continue along their feed path.

It is then provided to repeat the processing steps described above cyclically.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus <NUM> and method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claim 1:
Apparatus (<NUM>) for producing a closing system (<NUM>) for containers comprising an anti-tampering strip (<NUM>) and a re-closable closing body (<NUM>), said apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
- a forming station (<NUM>) configured to form barrier elements (<NUM>) starting from a sheet (A), wherein the barrier elements (<NUM>) are laminar, with a shape and sizes correlated to those of said closing body (<NUM>);
- a transport system (<NUM>) comprising at least one gripping unit (<NUM>) configured to hold said closing system (<NUM>) and to move along a feed path (P), which extends between an inlet station (S') and an outlet station (S");
- a welding and deformation station (<NUM>) disposed along said feed path (P) between the inlet station (S') and the outlet station (S");
- a manipulation member (<NUM>) configured to pick up said barrier element (<NUM>) in said forming station (<NUM>) and take it in said welding and deformation station (<NUM>) and subsequently attach said barrier element (<NUM>) to the closing body (<NUM>);
- a deformation member (<NUM>) configured so that it can be driven between an inactive position, distant from the closing system (<NUM>), and a work position in which it presses into contact onto a flexible annular portion (<NUM>) of said anti-tampering strip (<NUM>) in order to fold it back inside said closing system (<NUM>) wherein said deformation member (<NUM>) is shaped as an annular deformation element disposed around said manipulation member (<NUM>), wherein said deformation member (<NUM>) and said manipulation member (<NUM>) develop coaxially with respect to each other around a common longitudinal axis (X), and are mobile with respect to each other in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis (X); and
- a control unit (<NUM>) connected to said manipulation member (<NUM>) and to said deformation member (<NUM>) and programmed to command at least the functioning of said manipulation member (<NUM>) and of said deformation member (<NUM>) in a coordinated manner, so that they respectively attach said barrier element (<NUM>) onto said closing body (<NUM>) and exert a pressure on said flexible annular portion (<NUM>) in said welding and deformation station (<NUM>) while said gripping unit (<NUM>) is stationary in a same predetermined position holding said closing system (<NUM>).