초록 ▼

Screw caps (2) are fitted to the necks of respective containers (3) by a unit comprising a carousel equipped with a platform on which the containers are placed, a frame positioned above the platform, and a drive system by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a main vertical axi

Screw caps (2) are fitted to the necks of respective containers (3) by a unit comprising a carousel equipped with a platform on which the containers are placed, a frame positioned above the platform, and a drive system by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a main vertical axis. The unit comprises at least one screw capping device (7) associated with the rotating frame of the carousel, located above a respective container (3) and equipped with a gripping mechanism (9) lockable onto the cap (2) of the container, also a first motion-inducing linkage (25) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is caused to rotate about an axis (Y) parallel to the main vertical axis, and a second motion-inducing linkage (37) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is moved toward or away from the respective cap (2). The screw capping device (7) is packaged internally of a box-like body (10) associated removably with the rotating frame and housing the gripping mechanism (9).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A unit for fitting screw caps to the necks of respective containers, comprising: a carousel having a platform on which to stand respective containers, and an upper frame positioned above the platform; a drive mechanism, associated with the carousel, by which the platfor

The invention claimed is: 1. A unit for fitting screw caps to the necks of respective containers, comprising: a carousel having a platform on which to stand respective containers, and an upper frame positioned above the platform; a drive mechanism, associated with the carousel, by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a respective vertical axis; at least one screw capping device associated with the upper frame, positioned above a respective container and equipped with a gripping mechanism lockable onto the cap of a container; a first motion-inducing mechanism acting on the screw capping device, by which the gripping mechanism is caused to rotate about an axis parallel to the vertical axis; a second motion-inducing mechanism acting on the screw capping device, by which the gripping mechanism is moved toward and away from the respective cap; the screw capping device further comprising a hollow body removably attachable to the upper frame, internally of which the gripping mechanism is housed; the hollow body being cantilevered from and located outside a dimensional envelope of the frame; a separable connecting mechanism associated with the hollow body and the frame, allowing the radial displacement of the screw capping device between a fastened position in which the screw capping device is attached as a unit to the frame, and an unfastened position in which the screw capping device can be radially removed as a unit from the frame. 2. A unit as in claim 1, wherein the hollow body includes a tubular wall and the connecting mechanism is associated with the tubular wall of the hollow body, of which a first end is directed toward a respective container and includes an opening affording a passage to the gripping mechanism, and a second end, opposite to the first end, includes a connecting hole. 3. A unit as in claim 2, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises at least one projecting portion attached to the screw capping device and extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the screw capping device, and a coupling element insertable in a hole afforded by the projecting portion. 4. A unit as in claim 3, wherein the frame comprises at least one carrier having a substantially flat top surface delimited by a peripheral edge, and the projecting portion rests on the top surface of the carrier, placed over an opening aligned coaxially with the hole in the projecting portion in such a way that the coupling element can be inserted through the hole and through the opening. 5. A unit as in claim 4, wherein the coupling element comprises a threaded pin screwed into the hole and into the opening. 6. A unit as in claim 3, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises two projecting portions presented respectively by the first end and by the second end of the tubular wall, each accommodating a respective coupling element, and the frame comprises two carriers distanced one from another, each associated with a respective projecting portion. 7. A unit as in claim 2, wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a rotating shaft having a first end projecting from the connecting hole, externally of the tubular wall, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one gripper element, associated with the second end of the shaft and projecting from the opening. 8. A unit as in claim 7, wherein the shaft comprises a hollow cylindrical element constituting the second end of the shaft and housed within the tubular wall, also a spindle constituting the first end of the shaft, which includes an active portion housed within the tubular wall, accommodated slidably by the cylindrical element and furnished with a keying element by which the spindle and the cylindrical element are caused to rotate as one about an axis of the shaft. 9. A unit as in claim 8, wherein the second motion-inducing mechanism comprises a primary connecting element having a first portion associated with the hollow cylindrical element and a second portion, remote from the first portion, passing through a slot in the tubular wall and projecting externally of the tubular wall. 10. A unit as in claim 9, wherein the carousel further comprises a fixed drum interposed between the carriers of the frame, having a cylindrical surface directed toward the screw capping device, and the second motion-inducing mechanism further comprises a following roller associated rotatably with the second portion of the primary connecting element and running internally of a first cam profile afforded by the cylindrical surface of the fixed drum. 11. A unit as in claim 10, wherein the first cam profile includes an annular groove by which movement is induced in the cylindrical element along the axis of rotation, toward and away from the respective screw cap. 12. A unit as in claim 10, wherein the gripping mechanism further comprises an actuator mechanism associated with the rotating shaft and interacting with the gripper element, for switching the gripper element between a tightened configuration, in which a relative screw cap is held securely, and a spread configuration in which the element is distanced from the cap. 13. A unit as in claim 12, wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a tubular sleeve associated coaxially with the outer surface of the cylindrical element, a secondary connecting element having a first portion associated with the tubular sleeve, and a second portion remote from the first portion, passing through the slot and projecting externally of the tubular wall, and a following roller associated with the second portion of the secondary connecting element, running internally of a second cam profile afforded by the cylindrical surface of the fixed drum. 14. A unit as in claim 13, wherein the second cam profile includes an annular groove by which movement is induced in the tubular sleeve along the axis of rotation, toward and away from the gripper element. 15. A unit as in claim 13, wherein the tubular sleeve comprises a first annular portion having a top end with which the first portion of the secondary connecting element is associated, and a bottom end of cross sectional width greater than that of the top end, a second annular portion having a top end insertable coaxially into the bottom end of the first portion, and a bottom end of splayed profile having an annular lip directed toward the gripper element, and a flexible bias element housed in the bottom end of the first annular portion. 16. A unit as in claim 15, wherein the flexible bias element includes a coil spring, and the second annular portion of the tubular sleeve is movable along the axis of rotation within the bottom end of the first annular portion for compressing and relaxing the coil spring. 17. A unit as in claim 15, wherein the gripper element comprises at least two jaws hinged respectively on opposite sides to the bottom end of the cylindrical element and pivotable thus about respective axes transverse to the axis of rotation of the gripping mechanism, the annular lip of the second annular portion being forcible against the jaws so as to rotate the jaws toward the respective cap when assuming the tightened configuration, and distanced from the jaws when in the spread configuration. 18. A unit as in claim 7, wherein the first motion-inducing mechanism comprises a fixed wheel positioned above and associated with the frame of the carousel, a circumferential edge extending along a substantially circular path, and a rotary element associated permanently with the first end of the shaft, placed to interact with the circumferential edge of the fixed wheel. 19. A unit as in claim 18, wherein the fixed wheel comprises a top disc and a bottom disc disposed one above the other and occupying respective parallel planes, each having a circumferential rim extending along the circular path. 20. A unit as in claim 19, wherein the circumferential rim of each disc comprises a smooth arcuate portion and a convoluted arcuate portion, contiguous to the smooth arcuate portion, having a plurality of rounded lobes alternated with corresponding rounded recesses and staggered in such a way that the lobes of the top disc are aligned with the recesses of the bottom disc. 21. A unit as in claim 20, wherein the rotary element is composed of a primary engagement member comprising a pair of plates having a substantially elongated appearance, disposed parallel and distanced one from another, and a pair of cylindrical rollers located between the plates, rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft, also a secondary engagement member associated with the primary engagement member, comprising a pair of plates having a substantially elongated appearance, disposed parallel and distanced one from another and perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the plates of the primary engagement member, and a pair of cylindrical rollers located between the plates and rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. 22. A unit as in claim 21, wherein each engagement member rolls against the rim of a respective disc, in such a way that each pair of rollers will both mesh with the respective convoluted arcuate portion of the disc, thereby causing the relative engagement member to turn on the axis of rotation, and ride against the smooth arcuate portion of the disc, thereby allowing the engagement member to advance without turning. 23. A unit as in claim 22, wherein the rollers of each engagement member are insertable in the recesses of the respective convoluted arcuate portion, and the lobes are insertable between two cylindrical rollers of a respective engagement member. 24. A unit as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of screw capping devices associated with the periphery of the frame and positioned above respective containers. 25. A unit for fitting screw caps to the necks of respective containers, comprising: a carousel having a platform on which to stand respective containers, and an upper frame positioned above the platform; a drive mechanism, associated with the carousel, by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a respective vertical axis; at least one screw capping device associated with the upper frame, positioned above a respective container and equipped with a gripping mechanism lockable onto the cap of a container; a first motion-inducing mechanism acting on the screw capping device, by which the gripping mechanism is caused to rotate about an axis parallel to the vertical axis; a second motion-inducing mechanism acting on the screw capping device, by which the gripping mechanism is moved toward and away from the respective cap; the screw capping device further comprising a hollow body removably attachable to the upper frame, internally of which the gripping mechanism is housed; the hollow body having a tubular wall, of which a first end is directed toward a respective container and includes an opening affording a passage to the gripping mechanism, and a second end, opposite to the first end, includes a connecting hole wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a rotating shaft having a first end projecting from the connecting hole, externally of the tubular wall, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one gripper element, associated with the second end of the shaft and projecting from the opening wherein the gripping mechanism further comprises an actuator mechanism associated with the rotating shaft and interacting with the gripper element, for switching the gripper element between a tightened configuration, in which a relative screw cap is held securely, and a spread configuration in which the element is distanced from the cap; wherein the shaft comprises a hollow cylindrical element constituting the second end of the shaft and housed within the tubular wall; wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a tubular sleeve associated coaxially with an outer surface of the cylindrical element, a connecting element having a first portion associated with the tubular sleeve, and a second portion remote from the first portion, passing through a slot in the tubular wall and projecting externally of the tubular wall, and a following roller associated with the second portion of the connecting element, running internally of a cam profile of a cylindrical surface of a fixed drum interposed between carriers of the frame. 26. A unit as in claim 25, wherein the cam profile includes an annular groove by which movement is induced in the tubular sleeve along an axis of rotation, toward and away from the gripper element. 27. A unit as in claim 26, wherein the tubular sleeve comprises a first annular portion having a top end with which the first portion of the secondary connecting element is associated, and a bottom end of cross sectional width greater than that of the top end, a second annular portion having a top end insertable coaxially into the bottom end of the first portion, and a bottom end of splayed profile having an annular lip directed toward the gripper element, and a flexible bias element housed in the bottom end of the first annular portion. 28. A unit as in claim 27, wherein the flexible bias element includes a coil spring, and the second annular portion of the tubular sleeve is movable along the axis of rotation within the bottom end of the first annular portion for compressing and relaxing the coil spring. 29. A unit as in claim 28, wherein the gripper element comprises at least two jaws hinged respectively on opposite sides to a bottom end of the cylindrical element and pivotable thus about respective axes transverse to the axis of rotation of the gripping mechanism, the annular lip of the second annular portion being forcible against the jaws so as to rotate the jaws toward the respective cap when assuming the tightened configuration, and distanced from the jaws when in the spread configuration. 30. A unit for fitting screw caps to the necks of respective containers, comprising: a carousel having a platform on which to stand respective containers, and an upper frame positioned above the platform; a drive mechanism, associated with the carousel, by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a respective vertical axis; at least one screw capping device associated with the upper frame, positioned above a respective container and equipped with a gripping mechanism lockable onto the cap of a container; a first motion-inducing mechanism acting on the screw capping device, by which the gripping mechanism is caused to rotate about an axis parallel to the vertical axis; a second motion-inducing mechanism acting on the screw capping device, by which the gripping mechanism is moved toward and away from the respective cap; the screw capping device further comprising a hollow body removably attachable to the upper frame, internally of which the gripping mechanism is housed; wherein the hollow body includes a tubular wall and the connecting mechanism is associated with the tubular wall of the hollow body, of which a first end is directed toward a respective container and includes an opening affording a passage to the gripping mechanism, and a second end, opposite to the first end, includes a connecting hole; wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a rotating shaft having a first end projecting from the connecting hole, externally of the tubular wall, a second end opposite to the first end, and at least one gripper element, associated with the second end of the shaft and projecting from the opening wherein the first motion-inducing mechanism comprises a fixed wheel positioned above and associated with the frame of the carousel, a circumferential edge extending along a substantially circular path, and a rotary element associated permanently with the first end of the shaft, placed to interact with the circumferential edge of the fixed wheel; wherein the fixed wheel comprises a top disc and a bottom disc disposed one above the other and occupying respective parallel planes, each having a circumferential rim extending along the circular path; wherein the circumferential rim of each disc comprises a smooth arcuate portion and a convoluted arcuate portion, contiguous to the smooth arcuate portion, having a plurality of rounded lobes alternated with corresponding rounded recesses and staggered such that the lobes of the top disc are aligned with the recesses of the bottom disc. 31. A unit as in claim 30, wherein the rotary element is composed of a primary engagement member comprising a pair of plates having a substantially elongated appearance, disposed parallel and distanced one from another, and a pair of cylindrical rollers located between the plates, rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft, also a secondary engagement member associated with the primary engagement member, comprising a pair of plates having a substantially elongated appearance, disposed parallel and distanced one from another and perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the plates of the primary engagement member, and a pair of cylindrical rollers located between the plates and rotatable about respective axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft. 32. A unit as in claim 31, wherein each engagement member rolls against the rim of a respective disc, in such a way that each pair of rollers will both mesh with the respective convoluted arcuate portion of the disc, thereby causing the relative engagement member to turn on the axis of rotation, and ride against the smooth arcuate portion of the disc, thereby allowing the engagement member to advance without turning. 33. A unit as in claim 32, wherein the rollers of each engagement member are insertable of the respective convoluted arcuate portion, and the lobes are insertable between two cylindrical rollers of a respective engagement member.