WO2018166690A1

WO2018166690A1 - Capping machine

Info

Publication number: WO2018166690A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/052043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthias Naaber
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-03-15
Filing date: 2018-01-29
Publication date: 2018-09-20
Also published as: CN110402232B; EP3595999A1; EP3595999B1; DE102017105509A1; SI3595999T1; CN110402232A

Abstract

The invention relates to a capping machine (1) with a circulating design for capping containers (2) with crown caps (3). The capping machine has a stationary central column (4), which extends along a vertical central axis (MA) of the capping machine and which is equipped with at least one gyroscope (5) that can be circulated in a motor-driven manner and comprises multiple punch devices (6), and a support ring (7), which can be circulated in a motor-driven manner and comprises multiple container supports (8), below the gyroscope. The relative spacing between the gyroscope and the support ring along the vertical central axis of the capping machine can be adjusted by moving the gyroscope and/or the support ring along the central column. The stationary central column is designed to receive a compensating force oriented against the capping force, and at least one controlled clamping device (10), by means of which the gyroscope and/or the support ring can be secured to the central column in a controlled manner in the at least two different spacings, is provided between the gyroscope and the central column and/or the support crown and the central column.

Description

sealing

The present invention relates to a circumferential type capping machine for capping containers such as bottles or the like with bottle caps.

Treatment machines for containers typically serve for example to equip the container in question with a label (labeling machine), to clean the container (cleaning machine), to fill it (filling machine) or to provide it with a closure, for example a screw cap or crown cap (sealing machine) are also other types of treatment machines possible and conceivable. For example, a treatment machine for containers is described in the prior art according to DE 297 24 886 U1, in which both a transporter and vessel transport elements are driven by their own motors. These motors are synchronous motors with a rotor excited by a permanent magnet. In this way, high manufacturing and assembly costs are to be avoided and experience associated with a previously realized power transmission noise minimization.

From the document EP 1 647 518 B1, a sealing machine of circumferential design is known, in which, inter alia, the stationary central column is designed free of elements for mechanical power transmission. In this way, the central column can receive lines for kinetic energy and / or for present in electrical or optical form control information and / or fluids. As a result, a simple and inexpensive construction is realized.

In fact, such capping machines are typically placed in close proximity to previous filling machines. For this purpose, the sealing machine in question undergoes, for example, an arrangement on a pre-table of the relevant filling machine. An independent design of the closing machine is conceivable. In this case, the capping machine with For example, conveyor belts are connected to the previous filling machine or subsequent equipment components.

With the help of the capping machine to be closed containers are typically equipped with a screw cap or a bottle cap and then transported off the container. The supply and removal of the containers or bottles is usually carried out with the help of two transfer elements, on the one hand for the supply and on the other hand, the removal of the respective container. The transfer element in question may be a conveyor belt or a transport star or transfer star.

Also known are closing machines which close the containers to be closed with crown corks. In a simplified view, crown corkers and screw cappers essentially differ in that the screw units are replaced by deformation units which deform the crown corks during the closing operation in such a way that they seal the containers airtight. In addition, crown corks in most cases have a central height adjustment, which allows the capping machine to be adapted to different container heights, ie container formats. This is necessary in order to be able to transport the containers always at a height through the entire filling plant, regardless of their respective container format. In the prior art, the height adjustment of the capping machine takes place manually during a format change of the container, ie manually by opening a clamp fastened with screws to an outer support column and closing it again after the height adjustment of the capping machine to the new container format. The outer support column is necessary in order to intercept, that is to absorb, the closing forces that arise during the closing operation. The object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine of circumferential design for closing containers such as bottles or the like with crown corks, which compared to the prior art structurally simplified height adjustment with a simultaneous waiver of the outside Support column allows. To solve this problem, a capping machine according to the features of claim 1 is formed. The subclaims relate to particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The essential aspect of the invention is to provide a sealing machine of circumferential design for closing containers such as bottles or the like with crown cork, with a along a vertical center axis of the closing machine extending stationary central column, on the at least one motor circumferentially driven gyro with a plurality of lowerable and liftable punch devices and below the gyroscope a motor circumferentially drivable carrier ring are arranged with a plurality of container carriers, the relative distance between the gyroscope and the carrier ring along the vertical center axis of the capping machine by moving the gyro and / or the carrier ring along the central column adjustable in which between the gyroscope and the carrier ring several Behälterverschließpositionen are each formed with at least one closing device, wherein a closing device in its j eweiligen Verschließposition each having at least one arranged on the gyro punch device for applying a corresponding crown cork of standing on the associated container carrier container recorded with a Verschließkraft, wherein the stationary central column is provided for receiving a closing force against directed balancing force, and at the between the gyro and the central column and / or the carrier ring and the central column at least one controlled clamping device is provided, by means of which the gyro and / or the carrier ring in the at least two different distances controlled on the central column can be fixed.

Thus, a central idea of the invention consists in the fact that in the case of the circulating sealing machine, apart from the central column and the elements supported by it, no further supporting column or supporting structure is provided. In particular, no support column or support structure on which the control cam is arranged directly or indirectly and / or to which in the intended Operation the forces acting on the control cam, esp. The tilting or torque and the vertical closure forces, are forwarded.

This advantageously provides a closing machine in which the format is adapted to different containers without having to manually tighten the clamping, since the fixing of the gyroscope relative to the carrier ring can be controlled by means of the clamping device provided according to the invention. Also, contrary to the previously known state of the art for the clamping no separate, outer support column more technically necessary, since the Verschließkraft against directed compensating force is derived in the central column. Consequently, both functionalities, ie both the clamping and the power dissipation, can thus be realized via the central column provided according to the invention in cooperation with the clamping device, which leads to an enormous constructive simplification of the closing machine.

This is to be understood by a carrier ring generally a support element for the circulating and upright transport of containers, including a plate, wheel or star shape or the like. Particularly advantageously, the at least one controlled clamping device may have a clamping position and / or a release position.

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one clamping device may have at least one annular clamping section which forms at least one elastically deformable system section with which the clamping device clamps in its clamping position on the outer lateral surface of the central column.

Furthermore preferably, it can be provided that the at least one clamping device has at least one first and one second clamping section with a corresponding first and second system section. Further advantageously, the first and second clamping portion may be provided spaced from each other along the central axis. In a further preferred embodiment, the first and second clamping portion may each have an annular circumferential fluid channel, which opens fluid-tightly into a common supply channel, wherein the common supply channel in turn may be associated with a valve device.

Again preferably, it can be provided that the at least one clamping device is formed hydraulically or mechanically. In an advantageous embodiment, this can be controlled and / or regulated. The clamping device ideally has a metallic abutment surface, which forms at least a portion of a wall of the hydraulic line and can be elastically deformed by the selected inner / fluid pressure, so as to realize the clamping on the central column. The pressures to be provided are in the range of 60 to 100 bar. Of course, it is also conceivable that a clamping device is operated with a pneumatic system, which is due to the high pressures required usually but for security reasons will not provide. The permanent sliding property can be improved in all system, if at least in the plant section to the central column a piston guide belt is arranged, for example, as a Teflon sliding band, made of the compound PTFE carbon or PTFE bronze, with other materials are possible.

Also, the at least one clamping device may preferably be fixedly arranged on an underside of a top plate.

In this case, in an advantageous embodiment, the sealing machine will have at least one clamping device which has at least one annular clamping section or a clamping section with a positive locking contour. The form-fitting contour can be, for example, a polygon, with, for example, a hexagonal or hexagonal cross-sectional area or contour. In this case, the clamping portion has at least one elastically deformable plant section, with in which the clamping device can be clamped in its clamping position on the outer circumferential surface of the central column.

According to yet another embodiment variant, the closing machine has at least lifting and lowering means, by means of which the distance of the gyro relative to the carrier ring along the central column is adjustable. Preferably, the lifting and lowering device can be fixedly arranged on an upper side of the top plate. But this fixed arrangement can also be done in a pure positive connection via suitable centering and centering feet. In this case, the lifting and lowering device may preferably be designed as a spindle drive device.

Alternatively, however, a hydraulic device can be provided with a suitable position control.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "essentially" means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5%, and / or deviations in the form of changes which are insignificant for the function It will also become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures, in which case all of the described and / or depicted features alone or in any combination are the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims or their dependency of the claims made part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an inventive

Closing machine in a schematic side sectional view, an exemplary side sectional view of an exempt clamping device on a central column shown only in sections in a clamping position; 3 shows another exemplary sectional side view of an exempt clamping device on a central column shown only in sections in a release position.

Fig. 4 is the side sectional view of Figure 2 or 3 for the representation of the dimensioning.

Fig. 5 is another exemplary vertical sectional view of an exempt mechanical cone clamping device. a horizontal sectional view of an exempt mechanical clamping device in the form of a clamping ring.

The capping machine generally designated 1 in the figures is such a circumferential design for closing containers 2, such as bottles or the like, with a crown cap 3, which is also referred to as a crown cork.

Usually, in such a closing machine 1 upstream in the transport direction TR, a filling machine not shown in detail in the figures for filling the container 2 is provided with a liquid product in spatial proximity. The then filled by means of the filling container 2 are conveyed via transport devices, such as conveyor belts, to the capping machine 1 and here on the input side of likewise not shown in detail transfer elements, such as an infeed star, passed to the actual capping machine 1. After passing through the closing machine 1 in the manner explained in more detail below, ie the closing of the individual containers 2, each with a crown cap 3, the containers 2 then closed in this way become On the output side of the closing machine 1 of a further not shown and subsequently provided in the transport direction on the capping machine 1 transfer element, for example, an outlet star, and transported away in a manner known to those skilled. For reasons of clarity, the supply and provision of the individual bottle caps 3 to the sealing machine 1 according to the invention is not shown in the figures, since these can also be done in a known per se manner.

The closing machine 1 in this case has a stationary central column 4 extending along a vertical central axis MA, on which at least one motor-driven rotatable top 5 with several punch devices 6 and below the top 5 a motor-driven carrier ring 7 with several container carriers 8 are arranged. Wherein the two motor drives of the gyros 5 and 7 are synchronized via a controller.

Of course, alternative engine arrangements are conceivable, but they are not shown here. In particular, the rotating gyros 5 and 7 can be driven jointly and synchronously by a common motor and via suitable power transmission units. The central column 4 is arranged, for example, on a machine base 9, in particular with this fixed, wherein the machine base 9 on the opposite side of the central column 4 makes contact with the hall floor and thus is designed as a base. However, the scope of the present invention is not abandoned even if the center pillar 4 is fixed directly or indirectly on the hall floor or a base frame or a housing.

In particular, the central column 4 may be made of a metallic material, such as a stainless Cr or CrNi steel and tubular. In this case, the central column 4 may be made of a solid material or hollow inside. In addition, the central column 4 may have a plurality of central column sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, which may differ in their respective outer diameters. Preferably, the Central column 4 have a first Zentraulaulenabschnitt 4.1, which is connected with its first free end face fixed to the machine base 9, while adjacent to the first side opposite the free end side immediately adjacent and contact the first Zentralsäulenabschnitt 4.1 the second central column section 4.2. Again immediately adjacent to the second central column section 4.2, the third central column section 4. 3 is provided in a contact-tight manner on this or firmly connected thereto. In this case, the central column 4 with its example, three central column sections 4.1 ... 4.3 are integrally formed or multi-part. However, the individual central column sections 4.1... 4.3 are always firmly connected to one another. Preferably, the outer diameter of the first central column section 4.1 can be set larger than that of the second central column section 4.2 and this in turn larger than that of the third central column section 4.3, so that a stepped relative to the respective outer diameter structure of the central column 4 is formed.

Above the carrier ring 7 is located on the stationary central column 4 circumferentially mounted on this arranged the gyro 5, which is designed to be driven by a motor and thereby rotates relative to the stationary central column 4. According to one embodiment of the invention, the gyro 5 is not directly, but indirectly arranged on the support column 4, since between the gyro 5 and the central column 4, a controlled clamping device 10 may be arranged, the operation will be explained in more detail below. The controlled clamping device 10 is located in the embodiment variant shown in Figure 1 in its clamping position KP, in which they are the stationary central column

4 frictionally clamps, so in particular does not rotate with the gyroscope 5. The outer circumference of the central column 4 sleeve-shaped clamping enclosing clamping device 10 is rotatably mounted on this roundabout

5 provided, thus ultimately provided relative to the stationary central column 4 and the clamping in this in its clamping position KP

Clamping device 10 rotates. In particular, the gyroscope 5 is arranged on the clamping device 10 such that the gyroscope 5 can rotate in a horizontal plane around the clamping device 10, but at one vertical displacement of the clamping device 10 along the central axis 4 with the clamping device 10 moves, that is moved vertically with.

On the carrier ring 7 facing away from the free end face of the sleeve-shaped clamping device 10 can be attached to which clamping device 10, a top plate 1 1, for example screwed his. The top plate 1 1 is designed to receive at least a first drive motor 12, which is attached, for example, on an upper side 1 1 .1 of the top plate 1 1. The first drive motor 12 is set up to initiate the rotary motion on the gyroscope 5, and thereby formed, for example, as a servo or synchronous motor. In the context of the present application, a servo or synchronous motor means any type of drive motor which can be operated in a controlled manner, individually or in any combination such as rotation angle, direction of rotation, angular velocity and torque of the drive motor from a control device, e.g. given a master computer, the achieved actual values are determined by sensors, compared with the target values and any deviations are corrected by automatic countermeasures.

The first drive motor 12 engages circumferentially on the top 5. For this purpose, the gyro 5 has a central column 4 at least partially cylindrical enclosing extension 13. The gyroscope 4 or in particular its extension 13 is equipped on the head side with external teeth 14, in which a pinion 15 engages on an output shaft of the first drive motor 12. In other words, therefore, the extension 13 produces a frictional connection between the outer toothing 14 and the actual gyro 5. Not shown, an internal toothing or similar solutions can be used in an analogous manner.

The first drive motor 12 is connected in this embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 at the top 1 1 .1 of the top plate 1 1 at the upper end of the central column 4. As the central column 4, so is the connected via the clamping device 10 with this head plate 1 1 during operation of the closing machine 1, in particular in the clamping position KP of Clamping device 10, formed stationary. The same also applies to the first drive motor 12 fastened to the head plate 11. Rotations of the drive shaft of the first drive motor 12 are transmitted via the pinion 15 to the outer toothing 14 and from there via the extension 13 to the gyro 5, so that the gyroscope 5 is opposite the stationary central column 4 rotates. In principle, the first drive motor 12 can also act on the gyroscope 5 via a roller, a rubber roller, etc. on the outer peripheral side and set the gyro 5 in rotation, although this is not shown in greater detail in the figures. Furthermore, in the case of the sealing machine 1 according to the invention, a plurality of container closing positions BP, each having at least one closing device 17, are formed between the gyro 5 and the carrier ring 7. In this case, each of the plurality of closing devices 17 in their respective container closing position BP comprises at least one vertically and slidably movable stamping device 6 arranged on the gyro 5 for applying a corresponding crown cork 3 of the container 2 standing on the associated container carrier 8 with a closing force, in particular the pressing force is trained. In this case, the stationary central column 4 is provided for receiving a closing force against directed compensation force. In this case, the stationary central column 4 is provided for receiving a closing force against directed compensation force.

By the fixed cam 16 of the closing machine 1 and the lowering range angle range is set in which the pressing and the closure takes place. Thus, the load on the control cam 16 is always at the same location or angle range and a permanent overturning moment is introduced into the central column 4. However, the clamping device 10 reliably prevents deflection in this angular range and in the respective format-dependent altitude of the central column 4, wherein the clamping device 10 is still supported on the lifting and lowering device 30. In the present case, the lifting and lowering device 30 includes, for example, the spindle column 31 and the spindle drive 32, and is ideally supported and abortable without clearance via two corresponding nuts. For a lifting and lowering movement of the stamp devices 6, at least one control cam 16 is fixedly arranged on an underside 11 of the top plate 1 along which rollers roll, for example, on both sides of the respective stamping device 6 and are thus forcibly guided in their vertical position. so that ultimately a lifting and lowering movement of the respective stamping device 6 can be generated.

The arranged below the gyro 5 also on the central column 4 and circumferentially mounted around this carrier ring 7, for example, be supported on a support ring 19, which is formed by the transition of the first to the second central column section 4.1, 4.2, in particular by their different outer diameter. For example, the carrier ring 7 on its underside 7.1 an external toothing 20 which is in meshing engagement with a pinion 21 .1 a drive shaft of a second drive motor 21. The second drive motor 21 may preferably be fixedly arranged on the machine base 9, for example screwed thereto, while also being designed as a servo or synchronous motor.

In the case of the closing machine 1 according to the invention, the relative distance between the gyro 5 and the carrier ring 7 along the vertical central axis MA can be adjusted by displacing the gyro 5 relative to the carrier ring 7 along the central column 4. For this purpose, the closing device 1 may have a motor-driven lifting and lowering device 30, by means of which the distance of the gyro 5 relative to the carrier ring 7 along the central column 4 changeable, that is adjustable, is. This can be realized in the context of the present invention by a shift of the gyroscope 5 and / or the carrier ring 7 along the central column 4. In this case, the embodiment of Figure 1 shows a variant in which the gyroscope 5 is displaceable along the central column 4, while the carrier ring 7 is provided in a fixed horizontal plane. Consequently, at least one controlled clamping device 10 is provided for this purpose between the gyro 5 and the central column 4 and / or the carrier ring 7 and the central column 4, by means of which the gyroscope 5 and / or the gantry 7 in the controlled at least two different distances on the central column 4 fixable, in particular fixable, is.

The embodiment of Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, in which only a clamping device 10 is provided between the gyro 5 and the central column 4. However, in the context of the invention, it is also possible for a further, ie additional, clamping device 10, not shown in FIG. 1, to be provided between the carrier ring 7 and the central column 4, that is to say it can be arranged. In this context, it may be advantageous if the first and the second central column section 4.1, 4.2 have the identical or approximately identical outer diameter.

As can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamping device 10 can therefore preferably surround the central column 4 in a cylindrical fashion, that is to say be sleeve-shaped. Particularly advantageously, the clamping device 10 extends coaxially with the central axis MA along the longitudinal extent of the central column 4.

Preferably, the clamping device 10 extends in its longitudinal extent along the central column 4 from the bottom 1 1 .2 of the top plate 1 1 - which is attached to the free end face of the clamping device 10 - to beyond the spanned by the top 5 horizontal plane downwards. In other words, therefore, the clamping device 10 preferably projects beyond the underside of the gyro 5 in the direction of the carrier ring 7. In addition, the clamping device 10 has at least one annular clamping section 10.1, 10.2. Preferably, the clamping device 10 has a first and a second annular clamping portion 10.1, 10.2, wherein the first clamping portion 10.1 is provided to the second clamping portion 10.2 spaced along the central axis MA. The clamping sections 10.1, 10.2 comprise, respectively, in each case form a plant section 10.1 1, 10.21, which comes in the clamping position KP, shown in Figure 3, on the outer circumferential surface of the central column 4 by clamping, while the respective plant section 10.1 1, 10.21 in a release position FP, shown in Figure 2, of the outer circumferential surface of the central column 4 is free, so it is radially spaced from this. For this purpose, the respective plant section 10.1 1, 10.21 of the corresponding clamping section 10.1, 10.2 of an elastic material, for example a membrane, formed and elastically deformable.

The at least one annular clamping section 10.1, 10.2 in this case has in its release position FP an inner diameter which is larger by a few, preferably 1/100 to 10/100 millimeters, than the outer diameter of the central column 4 in the central column section 4.1. in which the clamping device 10 is provided; that is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the third central column section 4.3. In the area of the system sections 10.1 1, 10.21, a piston guide belt 35 is arranged in each case in order to improve the sliding properties. Thus, the clamping device 10 is formed, for example via the central machine control of the closing machine 1 control and / or adjustable. In particular, the clamping device 10 is designed to be hydraulically controllable and controllable. Advantageously, each clamping section 10.1, 10.2 has an annular fluid channel 10.12, 10.22, which are connected to each other in a fluid-tight manner via a common supply channel 10.3. The annular fluid channels 10.12, 10.22 are in the region of the respective plant section

10.1 1, 10.21 circumferentially provided in the associated clamping portion 10.1, 10.2, and on the common supply channel 10.3 with a fluid, in particular a hydraulic fluid acted upon. In particular, a first fluid channel 10.12 is assigned to the first clamping section 10.1 and a second fluid channel 10.22 to the second clamping section 10.2. The plant sections 10.1 1, 10.21 in each case form the radially inner wall of the associated fluid channel

10.12, 10.22 and is formed of a metallic material, such as a Cr or CrNi steel, ideally the plant sections 10.1 1, 10.21 are formed of the same metallic material, as the other clamping section. On the input side of the supply channel 10.3 may have a valve device 10.4, which is formed for example as a fluid pressure valve and simultaneous connection of a pressure supply, not shown. The clamping device 10 can controlled and / or regulated by the fluid are acted upon and thus ultimately operated in its clamping position KP and / or release position FP. In particular, the clamping device 10 is designed to form a suitable clamping pressure at the central column 4 in the case of an application with a suitably incompressible fluid of 70 to 100 bar, in their system sections 10.1 1, 10.21 in the clamping position KP. In the case of the use of a compressible gas, such as compressed air, advantageously a suitable pressure booster is used.

1 shows a variant in which the gyroscope 5 and all components arranged thereon, in particular the multiple stamping device 6, the top plate 11, the control cam 16 arranged on the top plate 11 and the one arranged between the gyro 5 and the central column 4 Clamping device 10 are slidably formed by means of the lifting and lowering device 30 along the central column 4, thereby ultimately adjust the distance between the gyro 5 and the carrier ring 7. It is understood that the clamping device 10 according to the invention during the shift, ie change in the relative distance between the gyro 5 and the carrier ring 7, is in its release position FP, in which they with their respective system sections 10.1 1, 10.21 of the outer circumferential surface of the central column 4 comes free (shown in Figure 2). Preferably, the lifting and lowering device 30 on the top 1 1 .1 of the head plate 1 1 is provided, in particular fixedly arranged on this. In this case, the lifting and lowering device 30 may be formed as a spindle drive device and have a coiled spindle column 31 and a spindle drive 32. The spindle column 31 can be attached to the upper free end of the central column 4 and extend along the upwardly extended central axis MA. In particular, the spindle column 31 can be screwed to the central column 4. The spindle drive 32 may preferably be designed as a hollow shaft motor drive, which drives an inner nut, which in rotational engagement with the Spindle column 31 is at a corresponding rotational movement of the mother in cooperation with the spindle column 31 in a lifting and / or lowering movement of the lifting and lowering device 30 converts. For transmitting the lifting and / or lowering movement to the gyroscope 5, the lifting and lowering device 30 a frame 33 which is fixedly attached to the top 1 1 of the top plate 1 1 and to the spindle drive 31, which is a kind of spindle slide formed. Depending on the direction of rotation of the spindle drive 32 thus takes place a lifting and / or lowering movement of the lifting and lowering device 30 and thus ultimately an adjustment of the distance between the top 5 and the carrier ring 7. It goes without saying that after a corresponding setting of the Relative distance of the gyro 5 to the carrier ring 7, the clamping device 10 is operated again in its clamping position KP and thus ultimately takes over the holder of all arranged on her components, in frictional connection with the aforementioned components.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, a respective piston guide band is arranged on the circumference of the central column 4 in the respective abutment sections 10.1 1, 10.21, which in the present case is designed as a Teflon sliding band. Alternatively, in the respective plant sections 10.1 1. 10.21 also be arranged two or more piston guide bands of the same or different materials.

In the example chosen, the dimensions are dimensioned as follows in FIG. 4 in order to realize a flexible expansion of the metallic abutment sections 10.1 1, 10.21 at a hydraulic internal pressure of approximately 80 bar. The inner diameter D, of the clamping device 10 is 104 mm, the inner channel height D _K is 40 mm and the wall thickness D _{w of} the metallic contact sections 10.1 1, 10.21 about 4.5 mm.

FIG. 5 shows a section of the second clamping section 10.2, which is designed as a cone clamping ring and can be braced by means of at least two hydraulic cylinders 34. For this purpose, a support ring 36.1 is arranged around the central column 4, on which one end of the hydraulically driven cylinder 34 are mounted. The free end of the working piston of the cylinder 34 is connected to a flange 37 a attached opposite cone sleeve 36,2. Between the support ring 36.1 and the conical sleeve 36.2 a conical clamping ring 36.3 is arranged, which rests with the plant section 10.21 on the surface of the central column 4 frictionally. An optionally provided piston guide belt 35 is not shown. By operating the cylinder 34 via the lines 39 support ring 36.1 and conical sleeve 36.2 can be moved relative to each other and so the clamping force on the clamping ring 36.3 released or increased to the central column 4.

The conical sleeve 36.2 is shown with only one end. The other end can be constructed analogously and cooperate with another support ring and corresponding cylinders. In a simple embodiment, the unillustrated end of the cone sleeve 36.2 is attached directly to a top plate. Advantageously, the displaceable support ring 36.1 has a slide ring 38 or such a slide ring 38 is provided on the central column 4 in the region of the support ring 36.1.

A very simple mechanical embodiment is shown in FIG. By means of a clamping ring 45, the central column 4 is enclosed. The clamping ring 45 has at least a partial length a first closure portion 45.1 and a slightly spaced, opposite second closure portion 45.2. The closure element 46 has a rotary knob 47 and is, for example, received in bores of the closure sections 45.1, 45.2, wherein one end of the closure element 46 has a threaded section 48 which is screwed into a corresponding female thread of the second closure section 45.2. By screwing in the closure element 46, the closure sections 45.1, 45.2 are approximated and the clamping ring 45 is clamped around the central column 4. An optionally provided piston guide belt 35 in the region of the clamping ring 45 is not shown. For reasons of clarity, in FIGS. 2 to 6 the elements mounted and / or fastened to the respective clamping device 10, as shown and executed in detail for example in FIG. 1, are not shown. Of course, it is also possible in the context of the present invention, the carrier ring 7 with a previously described as lifting and lowering device 30 along the central column 4 relative to the gyro 5 movable form. The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 closing machine

2 containers

3 crown corks

4 central column

4.1 first central column section

4.2 second central column section

4.3 third central column section 5 gyroscope

6 stamp device

7 carrier wreath

8 container carriers

9 machine base

10 clamping device

10.1 first clamping section

10.1 1 first section of the installation

10.12 first fluid channel

10.2 second clamping section 10.21 second plant section

10.22 second fluid channel

10.3 supply channel

10.4 Valve device

1 1 top plate

1 1 .1 top

1 1 .2 bottom

12 first drive motor

3 extension

14 external toothing

15 pinions

16 control curve

17 closing device

19 support ring 20 external teeth

21 second anti-motor

21 .1 pinion

30 lifting and lowering device

31 spindle column

32 spindle drive

33 frame

34 cylinders

35 piston guide belt

36.1 support ring

36.2 conical sleeve

36.3 clamping ring

37 flange

38 sliding ring

39 line

45 clamping ring

45.1 closure section (first)

45.2 closure section (second) 46 closure element

47 tension arm

48 threaded section

BP container closure position D, inner diameter

D _K channel height

Dw wall thickness

FP release position

MA central axis

TR transport direction

KP clamping position

Claims

claims

1 . Circling machine (1) of circumferential design for closing containers (2) such as bottles or the like with crown corks (3), with a stationary central column (4) extending along a vertical center axis (MA) of the closing machine (1), at least a motor-driven rotatable gyroscope (5) with a plurality of lowerable and liftable punch devices (6) and below the gyro (5) a motor circumferentially drivable carrier ring (7) with a plurality of container carriers (8) are arranged, wherein the relative distance between the gyro ( 5) and the carrier ring (7) along the vertical center axis (MA) of the closing machine (1) by moving the gyro (5) and / or the carrier ring (7) along the central column (4) is adjustable,

in which a plurality of container closure positions (BP) are formed between the gyro (5) and the carrier ring (7), each with at least one closing device (17),

wherein a closing device (17) in its respective Behälterverschließposition (BP) in each case at least one on the gyroscope (5) arranged stamping device (6) for applying a corresponding crown cork (3) of standing on the associated container carrier (8) container (2) with having a closing force,

wherein the stationary central column (4) is provided for receiving a closing force against directed compensation force,

and wherein between the gyro (5) and the central column (4) and / or the carrier ring (7) and the central column (4) at least one clamping device (10) is provided, by means of the gyro (5) and / or the carrier ring (7) in the at least two different distances on the central column (4) can be fixed.

2. Closing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) has a clamping position (KP) and / or a

Release position (FP) has.

3. Closing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) at least

- An annular clamping portion (10.1, 10.2) or a clamping portion having a positive locking contour, such as a polygon having at least one elastically deformable system section (10.1 1, 10.21) forms, with which the clamping device (10) in its clamping position (KP) the outer circumferential surface of the central column (4) is stuck.

4. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) has at least a first and a further, second clamping portion (10.1, 10.2) with a corresponding first and second plant section (10.1 1, 10.21).

5. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the further, second clamping portion (10.1, 10.2) along the central axis (MA) spaced from each other are provided.

6. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one clamping section (10.1, 10.2) each having at least one annular circumferential fluid channel (10.12, 10.22), the fluid-tight manner in at least one supply channel (10.3) opens,

7. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plant sections (10.1 1, 10.21) at least partially form the radially inner wall of the associated fluid channel (10.12, 10.22) and are formed of a metallic material.

8. Sealing machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the plant section (10.1 1, 10.21) is formed from a Cr or CrNi steel, ideally formed from the same metallic material, as the other clamping portion (10.1, 10.2).

9. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) is hydraulically formed.

10. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) is formed pneumatically or mechanically.

1 1. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) is designed to be controllable and / or controllable.

12. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one clamping device (10) fixed to a bottom (1 1 .2) of a top plate (1 1) is arranged.

13. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one lifting and lowering device (30), by means of which the distance of the gyroscope (5) relative to the carrier ring (7) along the central column (4) is adjustable.

14. Sealing machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the lifting and lowering device (30) on a top (1 1 .1) of the top plate (1 1) is fixedly arranged.

15. Closing machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the lifting and lowering device (30) is designed as a spindle drive device or hydraulic device with position control.

16. Closing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in addition to the central column (4) and the elements carried by it no further support column or support structure is provided, on which the control cam (16) is arranged directly or indirectly and / or to which during normal operation, the closing forces acting on the control cam (16) can be forwarded.