Patent Description:
The prior art capping processes generally comprise the application of caps on containers, such as, for example, bottles or jars, using capping heads which deform, that is to say, shape the side wall of the cap so as to allow the sealed closing of the container.

More specifically, the capping heads apply on the side wall of the caps the desired shape necessary to close the container.

The capping head is operated by a capping machine which comprises an actuator and a spindle moved (vertically) by the actuator.

The capping head is connected to the spindle of the capping machine through a metal connector.

In particular, connectors are known which are made, for example, of steel.

Usually, the connectors are made as a single solid piece which is positioned in such a way as to connect the capping head and the capping machine.

A connector for connecting a capping head to a spindle of an actuator is known from <CIT> or <CIT>. The implementation of sensors in capping heads is disclosed in <CIT> or <CIT> and a sensorized bearing is known from <CIT>.

The capping process is particularly delicate and it is necessary for it to occur under precise loading conditions so that the capping process is performed correctly in order to guarantee the sealed closure of the container.

With the connectors and capping heads currently known, it is not possible to have information regarding the process parameters relative to the capping.

Moreover, the technical support activities to assist the customer during the capping process require lengthy times and they are complicated, since the premises of the customers are generally far from those of the manufacturers of capping heads.

The need is felt for information on the quantities typical of the capping processes in order to guarantee an optimum capping process.

Moreover, the need is felt of making technical support activities simpler and faster in such a way as to communicate quickly to the customer whether the capping head is performing its task correctly.

The aim of the invention is to satisfy the above-mentioned needs by providing a sensorized connector which is able to provide information on the quantities typical of the capping processes and at the same time facilitate and speed up the technical support activities by the manufacturers, even remotely.

Said aims are fully achieved according to the invention as characterised in the appended claims.

The dependent claims correspond to possible different embodiments of the invention.

According to an aspect, the invention relates to a sensorized connector for connecting a capping head, equipped with at least a main body and a body movable relative to the main body, to a spindle of an actuator of a capping machine.

The spindle may be, for example, electrical, hydraulic or mechanical. According to an aspect, the connector comprises at least a first portion and a second portion.

According to an aspect, the first portion is positioned, in use, below the second portion.

The expression "in use" means when the connector is applied to the spindle of the actuator and to the capping head.

According to an aspect, the first portion, when the connector is in use, is movable relative to the second portion along a vertical direction.

According to an aspect, the first portion comprises first coupling means.

Advantageously, the first coupling means allow the first portion to be connected to the main body of the capping head.

According to an aspect, the first coupling means of the first portion comprise a male portion configured for connecting the first portion to the capping head.

For example, the male portion may have a thread complementing a thread of the capping head.

According to an aspect, the second portion comprises second coupling means.

Advantageously, the second coupling means allow the second portion to be connected to the spindle of the actuator.

According to an aspect, the second coupling means of the second portion comprise a female portion configured to connect the second portion to the spindle of the actuator of the capping machine.

For example, the female portion may have a thread complementing a thread of the spindle.

According to an aspect of the invention, the connector comprises a position sensor for detecting a position value.

The position sensor is, for example, an infrared sensor or a laser sensor.

Advantageously, providing the connector with a position sensor makes it possible to detect the movement of the movable body of the capping head during the capping process.

According to an aspect of the invention, the connector comprises a force sensor for measuring a force value.

The force sensor is, for example, a load cell.

Advantageously, the presence of a force sensor makes it possible to measure the force exchanged between the first and second portions.

Advantageously, the force sensor makes it possible to measure the load which is applied during the capping to the capping head; in fact, the first portion is, in use, integral with the capping head and therefore the force exchanged between the first portion and the second portion is equivalent to the force exchanged between the capping head and the second portion.

According to an aspect, the force sensor must undergo calibration for optimum operation.

According to an aspect, the connector comprises a transmission module, connected to the position sensor and to the force sensor, which receives the position and force values measured by the sensors and transmits the values.

The transmission module may be a wireless module, such as, for example, a Wi-Fi module.

The transmission module may transmit the position and/or force values to any electronic device configured to communicate with it, that is, to receive these values.

Advantageously, having information on the loads applied and on the movements of the movable body of the capping head allows the load-move graphs to be prepared over time during the capping process.

This advantageously makes it possible to assess any faults in the capping process, that is to say, deviations from the desired load-movement profiles.

Advantageously, knowing the values measured by the force and position sensor thus makes it possible to assess how the capping process is being performed.

According to an aspect, the values measured may be transmitted to an external receiving unit such as, for example, a PC, a remote processor or any other type of electronic unit.

Advantageously, having a transmission module which sends the values measured by the force and position sensor makes it possible to assess how the capping process is proceeding even remotely.

Advantageously, knowing how to proceed with the capping process remotely facilitates the technical support activities by the manufacturers of capping heads, who can communicate quickly with the customers in the event of malfunctions or improvement modifications to be made.

According to an aspect, the data may be measured continuously or intermittently, taking sample measurements by means of the sensors.

According to an aspect, the force sensor is interposed between the first portion and the second portion to measure a force exchanged between the first portion and the second portion.

According to an aspect, the position sensor is associated with the first portion and is oriented in the direction of the capping head in such a way as to measure a position of the movable body and its movement.

It should be noted that, since the first portion is, in use, fixed as one with the main body of the capping head, measuring the position of the movable body relative to the first portion is equivalent to measuring the position of the movable body relative to the main body.

During the capping process, the force sensor is also in contact with the second portion.

According to an aspect, the first portion has a shoulder portion.

According to an aspect, the second portion has a portion protruding radially.

According to an aspect, the portion protruding radially protrudes towards the inside of the connector. In other words, the protruding portion radially protrudes towards the first portion.

According to an aspect, the first portion moves relative to the second portion between a rest position and an end of stroke position.

According to an aspect, when the first portion is in the rest position, the shoulder portion of the first portion is in contact with the radially protruding portion of the second portion due to gravity.

According to an aspect, the second portion of the sensorized connector comprises a locking element which defines a limit stop for the relative movement between the first portion and the second portion.

According to an example, the first portion has a first cavity.

The force sensor and/or the position sensor may be present inside the first cavity.

According to another example, the first portion has a first cavity and a second cavity.

In use, the first cavity is positioned below the second cavity.

According to an aspect, the first cavity is divided from the second cavity by a separating wall.

Inside the first cavity there is the position sensor which is oriented in the direction of the capping head (to measure, as already mentioned, the position of the movable body), whilst inside the second cavity there is the force sensor which measures the force exchanged between the first portion and the second portion.

According to an aspect, the second portion may have a housing cavity.

According to an example, the transmission module is positioned inside the housing cavity.

According to an aspect, the connector may comprise a battery associated with the transmission module, for powering it.

According to an aspect, the battery is positioned inside the housing cavity.

According to an aspect, the connector may comprise a cap element positioned in the housing cavity and configured to render the cavity impermeable.

Advantageously, the presence of a cap element which makes the housing cavity impermeable makes it possible to protect any element positioned inside the housing cavity, for example the battery and/or the transmission module.

According to an aspect, the second portion may comprise a first element and a second element which can be coupled to each other, wherein the second element has the housing cavity. In this case, the force sensor is in contact with the second element which makes up the second portion.

According to an aspect, the first and second elements may be integrally coupled.

According to an aspect, the first and second elements may be coupled by screws.

According to an aspect, the connector may comprise a transparent element (for the wavelength in use by the position sensor, for example laser and/or infrared) positioned, in use, below the first portion.

According to an aspect, the invention relates to a capping system which comprises:.

According to an aspect, the capping head comprises at least one main body, which extends along a main axis of extension and a body movable relative to the main body along the main axis of extension.

According to an aspect, the capping head comprises a plurality of capping ends positioned at a first end of the main body.

According to an aspect, the capping head comprises a capping ring, outside the main body, which is movable which translates along the main axis of extension.

Advantageously, the movement of the capping ring allows the capping ends to be deformed and the capping of containers such as bottles or cans to be performed.

According to an aspect, the capping head comprises a spring operatively connected to the movable body, both the spring and the movable body are positioned inside the main body.

These and other features are more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The invention relates to a sensorized connector <NUM> for connecting a capping head <NUM> to a spindle of an actuator <NUM> (illustrated schematically in <FIG>).

The capping head <NUM> is equipped with at least a main body <NUM> and a body <NUM> movable relative to the main body <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> has a main direction of extension X.

The connector <NUM> comprises at least a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> is positioned between the second portion <NUM> and the capping head <NUM>.

In other words, the first portion <NUM> is positioned, in use, below the second portion.

The expression "in use" means the connector connected to the spindle of the actuator <NUM> and to the capping head <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> is movable, in use, relative to the second portion <NUM> along a vertical direction Y.

In other words, the first portion <NUM> is movable relative to the second portion <NUM> along a main direction X of the connector between a rest position p (illustrated in <FIG>) and an end of stroke position (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings).

The connector <NUM> may be made of various materials, for example metal material, preferably steel (preferably stainless).

The connector comprises a position sensor <NUM> directed in such a way as to measure a position value of the movable body <NUM> of the capping head <NUM>.

In other words, the position sensor <NUM> is associated with the first portion <NUM> and is oriented in the direction of the capping head <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the position sensor <NUM> is an infrared sensor.

According to another embodiment, the position sensor <NUM> is a laser sensor.

The position sensor <NUM> must be suitably calibrated.

Advantageously, the position sensor <NUM> makes it possible to measure the movement of the movable body <NUM> during the entire capping process.

The connector comprises a force sensor <NUM> which measures a force value. The force sensor <NUM> is interposed between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>.

Advantageously, the force sensor <NUM> makes it possible to measure the force exchanged between the first and second portions (<NUM>, <NUM>).

Advantageously, the force sensor <NUM> makes it possible to measure the load which is applied during the capping to the capping head <NUM>.

The force sensor <NUM> measures a position value for measuring a force exchanged between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the force sensor <NUM> is a load cell.

For example, the force sensor <NUM> may be a force transducer, an extensometer.

The force sensor <NUM> must be suitably calibrated.

According to an embodiment, the first portion <NUM> has a first cavity <NUM> in which the force position sensor <NUM> and/or the position sensor <NUM> is positioned.

According to another embodiment, the first portion <NUM> has a first cavity <NUM> and a second cavity <NUM>, in which the position sensor <NUM> and force sensor <NUM> are positioned, respectively.

The first cavity <NUM> is positioned below the second cavity <NUM> considering the connector <NUM> in use.

In other words, the first cavity <NUM> is situated between the second cavity <NUM> and the capping head <NUM> along a main direction of extension X of the connector <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> comprises a separating wall <NUM>.

The separating wall <NUM> delimits the first cavity <NUM> from the second cavity <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the connector <NUM> comprises an element <NUM> associated with the first portion.

The transparent element <NUM> delimits the first cavity <NUM> below, considering the connector in use.

Advantageously, the transparent element <NUM> prevents liquids from entering the first portion, damaging the sensors present inside.

The transparent element <NUM> may be associated with metal segments <NUM>, for example in the form of a crescent, which act as a contact sensor.

The metal segments <NUM> allow a contact signal to be sent (when the metal segments <NUM> enter into contact with the elements of the capping head <NUM> below), which may be, for example, advantageously used to start the measurement or indicate a time interval of interest of the measurement.

The connector <NUM> comprises a transmission module <NUM> connected to the position sensor <NUM> and to the force sensor <NUM>.

The transmission module <NUM> receives and transmits the position and force values measured by the position sensor <NUM> and by the force sensor <NUM>.

The position and force values, sent by the transmission module <NUM>, can be received from a remote processor such as, for example, a PC.

According to an embodiment, the transmission module <NUM> is a wireless module (preferably Wi-Fi).

According to another embodiment, the transmission module <NUM> is a Bluetooth module.

Advantageously, the transmission module <NUM> can send the values measured by the force and position sensor to a remote processor allowing the progress of the capping process to be assessed even remotely.

Advantageously, knowing the loads applied and the movement of the movable body <NUM> of the capping head <NUM> makes it possible to obtain load-movement graphs for assessing the trend of the capping process.

Advantageously, the transmission module <NUM> makes it possible to facilitate the technical support activities by the suppliers of capping heads, since it is possible to provide remotely, in a particularly simple and fast manner, process parameters regarding capping (e.g. loads/position of the movable element). In this way, the diagnosis and the remote support of malfunctions/faults is facilitated.

According to an embodiment, the second portion <NUM> has at least one housing cavity <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the transmission module <NUM> is positioned inside the housing cavity <NUM>.

The connector <NUM>, according to an embodiment, comprises a battery module <NUM> associated with the transmission module <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> may be housed inside the housing cavity <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> comprises first coupling means <NUM> configured to connect the first portion <NUM> to the capping head <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first coupling means <NUM> comprise a threaded male portion <NUM> configured for connecting the first portion <NUM> to the capping machine <NUM>.

The second portion <NUM> comprises second coupling means <NUM> configured for connecting the connector <NUM> to the spindle of the actuator <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second coupling means <NUM> comprise a female portion <NUM> configured for connecting the second portion <NUM> to the spindle of the actuator <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the connector <NUM> may comprise a cap <NUM> which can be coupled to the second portion <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> is configured to make the housing cavity <NUM> impermeable.

The cap <NUM> must guarantee to the electrical material, contained in the housing cavity, a suitable IP protection rating.

Advantageously, the presence of a cap <NUM> which makes the housing cavity <NUM> impermeable makes it possible to protect any element located inside the housing cavity <NUM>, for example the battery <NUM> and/or the transmission module <NUM>.

According to another embodiment not illustrated, the second portion <NUM> may comprise a first and a second door.

Advantageously, the presence of the first door allows for any replacement of the battery and the second door, when open, allows the wireless signal to pass without attenuation towards the outside of the connector.

The first portion <NUM> comprises a shoulder portion <NUM>.

The second portion <NUM> comprises a radially protruding portion <NUM> which can be coupled to the shoulder portion <NUM>.

The radially protruding portion <NUM> protrudes towards the inside of the connector <NUM>, that is, towards the first cavity <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, considering the connector <NUM> in use and in the rest position p, the shoulder portion <NUM> is in contact, due to the action of gravity, with the radially protruding portion <NUM>.

The first portion <NUM> can move relative to the second portion <NUM> until the first portion <NUM> comes into contact with a locking element <NUM> forming part of the second portion <NUM>.

The locking element <NUM> defines, in other words, a maximum stroke limit stop for the relative movement between the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the second portion <NUM> comprises a first element <NUM> and a second element <NUM> which can be coupled to each other.

The first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM> may be integrally coupled.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first element <NUM> and the second element <NUM> may be coupled by screws.

The invention relates to a capping system <NUM> comprising:.

Advantageously, the capping system <NUM> described above allows the containers to be capped in a particularly secure manner, that is to say, with a high degree of sealing.

According to an embodiment, the capping head <NUM> comprises a plurality of capping ends <NUM> positioned at a first end <NUM> of the main body.

The capping head <NUM> also comprises a capping ring <NUM>, outside the main body <NUM>.

The capping ring <NUM> is movable along the main axis of extension Z and deforms the capping ends <NUM> translating along the main axis of extension Z.

Advantageously, the movement of the capping ring <NUM> allows the capping ends to be deformed and the capping of containers such as bottles or cans to be performed.

The capping head <NUM> comprises a spring <NUM> operatively connected to the movable element <NUM>.

Both the spring <NUM> and the movable element <NUM> are positioned inside the main body <NUM> of the capping head <NUM>.

The capping head <NUM> is described in prior patent document <CIT> in the name of the same Applicant.

According to patent document <CIT>, the movable body <NUM> of the capping head <NUM> is defined as "first piston".

According to patent document <CIT>, the spring <NUM> of the capping head <NUM> is referred to as "first spring".

Claim 1:
A sensorized connector (<NUM>) for connecting a capping head (<NUM>), equipped with at least a main body (<NUM>) and a body (<NUM>) movable relative to the main body (<NUM>), to a spindle of an actuator (<NUM>),
the connector comprises at least a first portion (<NUM>) and a second portion (<NUM>),
the first portion (<NUM>) being positioned, in use, below the second portion (<NUM>),
the first portion (<NUM>) being movable, in use, relative to the second portion (<NUM>) along a vertical direction (Y),
the first portion (<NUM>) comprising first coupling means (<NUM>) configured to connect the first portion (<NUM>) to the main body (<NUM>) of the capping head (<NUM>),
the second portion (<NUM>) comprising second coupling means (<NUM>) configured to connect the second portion (<NUM>) to the spindle of the actuator (<NUM>);
the sensorized connector (<NUM>) also comprising:
- a position sensor (<NUM>) for measuring a position value;
- a force sensor (<NUM>) for measuring a force value;
- a transmission module (<NUM>), connected to the position sensor (<NUM>) and to the force sensor (<NUM>) for receiving the position and force values measured by them, and for transmitting said values;
the force sensor (<NUM>) being interposed between the first and the second portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) for measuring a force exchanged between the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>),
the position sensor (<NUM>) being associated with the first portion (<NUM>) and oriented in the direction of the capping head (<NUM>), for measuring a position of the movable body (<NUM>).