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EP3717397A1 - Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening - Google Patents

Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening

Info

Publication number
EP3717397A1
EP3717397A1 EP18811714.7A EP18811714A EP3717397A1 EP 3717397 A1 EP3717397 A1 EP 3717397A1 EP 18811714 A EP18811714 A EP 18811714A EP 3717397 A1 EP3717397 A1 EP 3717397A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closing
nozzle
container
rinsing
closure element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP18811714.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3717397B1 (en
Inventor
Thomas NEBER
Daniel SPIELER
Tim GÖGELEIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bausch and Stroebel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Bausch and Stroebel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bausch and Stroebel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Bausch and Stroebel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP3717397A1 publication Critical patent/EP3717397A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3717397B1 publication Critical patent/EP3717397B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/003—Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • B65B31/046—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles co-operating, or being combined, with a device for opening or closing the container or wrapper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
    • B67B1/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying stoppers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/222—Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a closing device for closing in particular automatically filled containers having a filling opening, such as bottles, cans, vials, cartridges or ampoules.
  • the closure device comprises
  • a positioning device for placing a container to be closed in a position for closing
  • a purging device with a nozzle device for injecting purging gas into a container to be closed through its filling opening before closing
  • a closure element setting device for attaching a closure element to a container to be closed in its filling opening and thus the container closing position
  • Closing devices of the type considered here are used, for example, in the chemical industry and in the pharmaceutical industry, in order to close respective containers after their filling with, for example, oxygen-sensitive, liquid chemicals or pharmaceuticals. It is already known to flush the headspace volume of the container with inert gas, for example nitrogen, as a purge gas in order to displace oxygen from the headspace before closing such filled containers.
  • inert gas for example nitrogen
  • Such closing devices exist in which nozzles of a nozzle device are positioned obliquely on the mouths of the containers while the inert gas flows into the containers.
  • the nozzles are withdrawn from the container mouths at the end of the respective rinsing fumigation to make room for the operation of a closure element setting device which attaches a respective closure, for example a respective rubber stopper, to the containers to be closed, ie introduces them into the filling opening to close the container concerned.
  • a closure element setting device which attaches a respective closure, for example a respective rubber stopper, to the containers to be closed, ie introduces them into the filling opening to close the container concerned.
  • the rinsing of the containers by means of the rinsing device and optionally also the closing of the containers may possibly take place during a transport movement of the containers, wherein the nozzles and possibly the closure setting means are moved along in the transport direction.
  • the relevant elements of the closing device can, for example, travel along one cycle step with the containers and then start again on the subsequent machine cycle.
  • Object of the present invention is to improve a closure device of the type mentioned in that they in the process of rinsing and closing an even further reduction of the Oxygen content in the headspace of the respective container in a well reproducible manner allows.
  • a closure device for closing containers having a filling opening such as bottles or cans
  • a positioning device for placing a container to be closed in a position for closing
  • a closure element setting device for attaching a closure element to a container to be closed in a position of its filling opening and thus the position closing the container
  • the nozzle device has a central nozzle arrangement and one of the
  • the nozzle device and a container to be sealed by the positioning so relative to each other in a rinsing position can be positioned bar, that the central nozzle assembly is arranged for introducing purge gas into the container at least mainly on the filling opening and the peripheral nozzle assembly a peripheral region of Einhellöff planning tion so that both the filling opening and its periphery are exposed to a purge gas, when the nozzle device discharges purge gas.
  • the purge gas is preferably inert gas, for example nitrogen, in question.
  • the central nozzle arrangement and the peripheral nozzle arrangement together form a gas discharge area which is larger than the filling opening of a relevant container to be closed.
  • purge gas is thus blown from the central nozzle arrangement into the filling opening of the respective container on the one hand.
  • the peripheral nozzle arrangement brings purge gas into the region of the periphery of the filling opening.
  • any possible suction effect of the central nozzle arrangement during the injection of the purge gas into the filling opening of the respective container does not introduce air and thus undesirable oxygen from the lateral environment into the filling opening, but at most any purge gas of the peripheral nozzle arrangement present there.
  • the very good results obtained with the closing device according to the invention are a good proof of this.
  • a residual oxygen content of ⁇ 0.5% in the headspace could be determined by means of the closing device according to the invention of sealed containers.
  • the central nozzle arrangement and the peripheral nozzle arrangement are each designed as a tubular element, wherein the tube element forming the central nozzle arrangement is accommodated in particular concentrically in the tubular element forming the peripheral nozzle arrangement.
  • the peripheral-nozzle arrangement may have a plurality of peripheral nozzles surrounding the central nozzle arrangement.
  • the central nozzle arrangement may optionally have a plurality of nozzles as a bundle.
  • the purge gas stream of the central nozzle arrangement and the purge gas stream of the peripheral nozzle arrangement can be controlled separately in order to set optimum conditions during rinsing.
  • the position for closing and the rinsing position for a respective container to be rinsed and sealed preferably correspond to one another, wherein the nozzle device moves between the rinsing position and a withdrawn position relative to a container brought into the position for closing by means of the positioning device Position is movable. In the rinsing position it is positioned with its Spülgasausementsde the filling opening of the container this overlapping opposite.
  • the final operation of attaching the closing element ie closing the container
  • the nozzle device has at least largely carried out its movement into the retracted position.
  • atmospheric oxygen can again reach the container through the filling opening.
  • the nozzle device is designed such that it is oriented in the rinsing position obliquely to the filling opening of a container positioned in position for closing and to be rinsed.
  • a nozzle device can be moved quickly from its rinsing position to the retracted position by the shortest route, such as by lateral pivoting and / or lateral withdrawal.
  • the nozzle device may be bevelled at its purge gas outlet end relative to the tube element longitudinal axis so that the purge gas outlet end in the purge position of the nozzle device is at least approximately in a plane parallel to the upper edge of the fill port of a nozzle respective container positioned in position for closure.
  • the closure element setting device can have a closure element holder that can be moved between a retracted passive position and an advanced closure element release position, which can be, for example, a stopper that can push a stopper as a closure element into the filling opening of a container to be closed ,
  • the closing device is preferably controllable by means of the control device such that the movement of the closure element holder from its retracted passive position into the advanced closure element dispensing position and the movement of the nozzle device from the rinsing position to its retracted position occur at least in regions simultaneously. This also serves the minimization of a period between the targeted rinsing and the subsequent attachment of the closure element to a respective container, so that hardly any air can flow into the container during this period.
  • the closing device has a supplementary nozzle device with at least one rinsing nozzle for discharging purge gas in the direction of the closure element holder, so that the rinsing nozzle can blow rinsing gas to a closure element held ready by the closure element holder for a current closing operation.
  • the positioning device is adapted to arrange a group of containers to be closed in a position for closing, further comprising the closure element setting means for attaching Ver gleichele- elements to a corresponding group of containers to be closed in one of the filling openings occlusive position is formed.
  • the nozzle device of the rinsing device is provided several times to form a group of similar nozzle devices.
  • the figure shows a partially schematic, fragmentary detail sectional view of a region of the closing device, in which the flushing of a respective container with inert gas and the closing of the container take place.
  • a vial 3 can be seen as a container, which is filled with an oxygen-sensitive liquid pharmaceutical agent 7 except for a headspace volume 5.
  • the vial 3 is located in a positioning device 9 of the closure device and has been introduced by means of this positioning device 9 in the position shown for closing, this position for closing also corresponds to the rinsing position, in the example inert gas as purge gas in the headspace fifth of the vial 3 is introduced.
  • Flierzu serves a purging device 11, of which in the figure essentially a nozzle device 13 in its rinsing position relative to the vial 3 can be seen.
  • the nozzle device 13 has, as a central nozzle arrangement, an inner cylindrical tubular element 15 which, in the rinsing position, is directed essentially onto the filling opening 18 of the vial 3 in order to inject the intergas there.
  • the nozzle device 13 further includes, as a peripheral nozzle assembly, a cylindrical tube member 17 coaxially surrounding the tube member 15, which also serves to apply inert gas. From the intermediate space 19 between the central tube element 15 and the peripheral tube element 17, inert gas can thus be blown into the periphery of the filling opening 18 of the vial 3, in order to displace air there and thus the air oxygen, so that it does not escape due to suction effects Rinsing process is sucked into the filling opening 18.
  • the tube element 17 and / or the tube element 15 at the outlet of the nozzle device 13 can be widened like a funnel.
  • the directed onto the filling opening 18 of the vial 3 gas flow 20 of the central tube member 15 and the outside of the peripheral tube element 17 limited gas flow 22 are separately controllable in their strength.
  • a control device 24 which also controls the other functions of the closing device is used.
  • the residual oxygen content in the headspace volume 5 of the vial 3 could be reduced to an extremely low value of ⁇ 0.5%.
  • Closure element in the form of a plug 30 is directed so that the purge gas enters the lower recess 32 of the plug 30 and can displace air there.
  • the frame 34 of the auxiliary nozzle device 26 is constructed so that the areas to be rinsed 5, 32 are well shielded against air ingress when the vial 3 and the nozzle device 13 are in the rinsing position shown. In this way it is prevented that air can flow in from the outside in critical quantities to the purged areas.
  • the plug 30 is located at the lower end of a push-in ram 36 as a closure member holder of a closure element setting device 38.
  • the push-in ram 36 is shown in a retracted passive position from which it is movable to an advanced closure element dispensing position to move the plug 30 in depress the filling opening 18 of the vial 3.
  • the nozzle device 13 has to be moved out of the way between the stopper 30 shown and the filling opening 18 of the vial 3. This takes place very quickly after the rinsing process, in that the nozzle device is moved to the side to the right by means of a relevant drive device (not shown) by using an at least approximately horizontal movement component in the figure to a retracted position.
  • a drive device of the closure element setting device 38 moves the push-in ram 36 from the retracted passive position shown in the figure into an advanced closure element dispensing position, in which it places the stopper 30 into the filling opening 18 of vial 3.
  • the vial 3 is then tightly closed and has at most extremely low residual oxygen content in its headspace 5.
  • the nozzle device 13 is oriented in its rinsing position obliquely to the filling opening of the vial 3 positioned in position for closing and to be rinsed.
  • the nozzle device 13 is beveled at its Spippogasausashesde relative to Rohrele- mentl Kunststoffsachse 42 so that the Spülgasausariade 40 in the rinsing position of the nozzle device 13 is at least approximately in a plane that is parallel to the upper edge of the filling opening 18 of the vial 3 extends.
  • these measures serve to improve the rinsing effect of the vial 3, on the other hand, the faster mobility of the nozzle device 13 from the space between the stopper 30 and the filling opening 18.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Vacuum Packaging (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to closure device for closing containers (3) that have a filler opening (18), such as bottles or cans, comprising a positioning device (9) for arranging a container (3) to be closed in a position for closing, a flushing device (11) with a nozzle device (13) for injecting flushing gas, particularly an inert gas, through the filler opening (18) into a container (3) to be closed prior to closing, a closure element setting device (38) for fitting a closure element (30) to a container (3) to be closed in a position closing the filler opening (18) thereof and hence closing the container (3) and - a control device (24), wherein the nozzle device (13) has a central nozzle arrangement (15) and a peripheral nozzle arrangement (17) surrounding the central nozzle arrangement, wherein the nozzle device (13) and a container (3) to be closed may be positioned relative to each other in a flushing position such that the central nozzle arrangement (15) for injecting flushing gas into the container (3) is at least mainly directed to the filler opening (18) thereof and the peripheral nozzle arrangement (17) is aimed at a peripheral area of the filler opening (18) so that both the filler opening (18) and also the periphery thereof are subjected to a flushing gas flow (20, 22) when the nozzle device (13) is discharging flushing gas.

Description

Verschließvorrichtung zum Begasen und Verschließen von Behältern, die eine Einfüllöffnung aufweisen  Closing device for gassing and closing of containers having a filling opening
Beschreibung description
Die Erfindung betrifft eine Verschließvorrichtung zum Verschließen von ins- besondere automatisch befüllten Behältern, die eine Einfüllöffnung aufwei- sen, wie etwa Flaschen, Dosen, Vials, Karpulen oder Ampullen. Die Ver- schließvorrichtung umfasst The invention relates to a closing device for closing in particular automatically filled containers having a filling opening, such as bottles, cans, vials, cartridges or ampoules. The closure device comprises
- eine Positioniereinrichtung zum Anordnen eines zu verschließenden Behälters in eine Position zum Verschließen,  a positioning device for placing a container to be closed in a position for closing,
- eine Spüleinrichtung mit einer Düsenvorrichtung zum Einblasen von Spülgas in einen zu verschließenden Behälter durch dessen Einfüll- öffnung hindurch vor dem Verschließen,  a purging device with a nozzle device for injecting purging gas into a container to be closed through its filling opening before closing,
- eine Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung zum Anbringen eines Ver- Schlusselementes an einen zu verschließenden Behälter in einer des- sen Einfüllöffnung und somit den Behälter verschließenden Stellung und  a closure element setting device for attaching a closure element to a container to be closed in its filling opening and thus the container closing position and
- eine Steuereinrichtung. Verschließvorrichtungen der hier betrachteten Art werden beispielsweise in der chemischen Industrie und in der pharmazeutischen Industrie eingesetzt, um betreffende Behälter nach deren Befüllen mit beispielsweise sauerstoff- empfindlichen, flüssigen Chemikalien bzw. Pharmazeutika zu verschließen. Es ist bereits bekannt, vor dem Verschließen von solchen gefüllten Behältern das Kopfraumvolumen der Behälter mit inertem Gas, beispielsweise Stick stoff, als Spülgas zu spülen, um Sauerstoff aus dem Kopfraum zu verdrän- gen. Es existieren derartige Verschließvorrichtungen, bei denen Düsen einer Dü- senvorrichtung schräg auf den Mündungen der Behälter positioniert werden, während das Inertgas in die Behälter einströmt. Die Düsen werden am Ende des jeweiligen Spülbegasens von den Behältermündungen zurückgezogen, um Platz für die Arbeitsweise einer Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung zu machen, die einen jeweiligen Verschluss, beispielsweise einen jeweiligen Gummistopfen, an die zu verschließenden Behälter anbringt, d.h. in die Ein- füllöffnung einbringt, um den betreffenden Behälter zu verschließen. Das Spülen der Behälter mittels der Spüleinrichtung und ggf. auch das Verschlie- ßen der Behälter kann ggf. während einer Transportbewegung der Behälter erfolgen, wobei die Düsen und ggf. die Verschlusssetzmittel in Transportrich- tung mitbewegt werden. Die betreffenden Elemente der Verschließvorrich- tung können dabei beispielsweise einen Taktschritt mit den Behältern mitfah- ren und anschließend am nachfolgenden Maschinentakt neu ansetzen. - a control device. Closing devices of the type considered here are used, for example, in the chemical industry and in the pharmaceutical industry, in order to close respective containers after their filling with, for example, oxygen-sensitive, liquid chemicals or pharmaceuticals. It is already known to flush the headspace volume of the container with inert gas, for example nitrogen, as a purge gas in order to displace oxygen from the headspace before closing such filled containers. Such closing devices exist in which nozzles of a nozzle device are positioned obliquely on the mouths of the containers while the inert gas flows into the containers. The nozzles are withdrawn from the container mouths at the end of the respective rinsing fumigation to make room for the operation of a closure element setting device which attaches a respective closure, for example a respective rubber stopper, to the containers to be closed, ie introduces them into the filling opening to close the container concerned. The rinsing of the containers by means of the rinsing device and optionally also the closing of the containers may possibly take place during a transport movement of the containers, wherein the nozzles and possibly the closure setting means are moved along in the transport direction. In this case, the relevant elements of the closing device can, for example, travel along one cycle step with the containers and then start again on the subsequent machine cycle.
Es ist auch bereits bekannt, dass der Luftsauerstoff, der sich in einer typi scherweise vorhandenen unteren Vertiefung eines für den Verschließvor- gang bereitstehend positionierten Verschlusselementes befindet, mit in den Behälter eingebracht wird, so dass dadurch der Restsauerstoff im verschlos- senen Behälter in entsprechender weise erhöht wird. Um dem möglichst ab- zuhelfen, werden bekanntermaßen zusätzliche Spüldüsen eingesetzt, die beispielsweise von schräg unten inertes Gas in die Verschlusselementvertie- fungen blasen, um die darin befindliche Luft zu verdrängen. It is also already known that the atmospheric oxygen, which is located in a typically existing lower recess of a closure element which is positioned ready for the closing process, is introduced into the container so that the residual oxygen in the sealed container is correspondingly is increased. In order to remedy this as far as possible, it is known to use additional rinsing nozzles which, for example, blow gas that is inert from diagonally downwards into the closure element openings in order to displace the air contained therein.
Mit bekannten Vorrichtungen der vorstehend genannten Art konnte eine Re- duzierung des Restsauerstoffs im Kopfraum der behandelten Behälter auf wenige Volumenprozent, beispielsweise 2 Volumenprozent erreicht werden. With known devices of the type mentioned above, a reduction of the residual oxygen in the headspace of the treated containers to a few percent by volume, for example 2 percent by volume, could be achieved.
Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, eine Verschließvorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art dahingehend zu verbessern, dass sie beim Vorgang des Spülens und Verschließens eine noch weitergehende Reduzierung des Sauerstoffgehalts im Kopfraum der betreffenden Behälter in gut reproduzier- barer Weise ermöglicht. Object of the present invention is to improve a closure device of the type mentioned in that they in the process of rinsing and closing an even further reduction of the Oxygen content in the headspace of the respective container in a well reproducible manner allows.
Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird eine Verschließvorrichtung mit den Merkma- len des Anspruchs 1 vorgeschlagen, nämlich To solve this problem, a closure device with the features of claim 1 is proposed, namely
Eine Verschließvorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern, die ein Einfüll öffnung aufweisen, wie etwa Flaschen oder Dosen, umfassend  A closure device for closing containers having a filling opening, such as bottles or cans
- eine Positioniereinrichtung zum Anordnen eines zu verschließenden Behälters in eine Position zum Verschließen,  a positioning device for placing a container to be closed in a position for closing,
- eine Spüleinrichtung mit einer Düsenvorrichtung zum Einblasen von Spülgas in einen zu verschließenden Behälter durch dessen Einfüll öffnung hindurch vor dem Verschließen,  a rinsing device with a nozzle device for injecting purge gas into a container to be closed through its filling opening therethrough prior to closing,
- eine Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung zum Anbringen eines Ver- schlusselementes an einen zu verschließenden Behälter in einer des- sen Einfüllöffnung und somit den Behälter verschließenden Stellung und  a closure element setting device for attaching a closure element to a container to be closed in a position of its filling opening and thus the position closing the container and
- eine Steuereinrichtung,  a control device,
wobei die Verschließvorrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, wherein the closing device is characterized
dass die Düsenvorrichtung eine Zentraldüsenanordnung und eine die in that the nozzle device has a central nozzle arrangement and one of the
Zentraldüsenanordnung umgebende Peripheriedüsenanordnung aufweist, wobei die Düsenvorrichtung und ein zu verschließender Behälter mittels der Positioniereinrichtung so relativ zueinander in einer Spülposition positionier- bar sind, dass die Zentraldüsenanordnung zum Einbringen von Spülgas in den Behälter zumindest hauptsächlich auf dessen Einfüllöffnung ausgerichtet ist und die Peripheriedüsenanordnung einen Peripheriebereich der Einfüllöff nung anvisiert, so dass sowohl die Einfüllöffnung als auch deren Peripherie einem Spülgasstrom ausgesetzt sind, wenn die Düsenvorrichtung Spülgas ausbringt. The nozzle device and a container to be sealed by the positioning so relative to each other in a rinsing position can be positioned bar, that the central nozzle assembly is arranged for introducing purge gas into the container at least mainly on the filling opening and the peripheral nozzle assembly a peripheral region of Einfüllöff planning tion so that both the filling opening and its periphery are exposed to a purge gas, when the nozzle device discharges purge gas.
Als Spülgas kommt vorzugsweise Inertgas, z.B. Stickstoff, infrage. Die Zentraldüsenanordnung und die Peripheridüsenanordnung bilden ge- meinsam einen Gasauström bereich, der größer ist als die Einfüllöffnung ei- nes betreffenden zu verschließenden Behälters. Beim bestimmungsgemäßen Betrieb der Spüleinrichtung wird somit einerseits Spülgas aus der Zentraldü- senanordnung in die Einfüllöffnung des betreffenden Behälters eingeblasen. Gleichzeitig bringt die Peripheriedüsenanordnung Spülgas in den Bereich der Peripherie der Einfüllöffnung aus. Dies hat zur Folge, dass eine etwaige Sogwirkung der Zentraldüsenanordnung beim Einblasen des Spülgases in die Einfüllöffnung des betreffenden Behälters nicht Luft und damit uner- wünschten Sauerstoff aus der seitlichen Umgebung mit in die Einfüllöffnung einbringt, sondern allenfalls dort vorhandenes Spülgas der Peripheriedü- senanordnung. Die mit der Verschließvorrichtung nach der Erfindung erziel- ten sehr guten Ergebnisse sind ein guter Beleg dafür. So konnte ein Rest- sauerstoffgehalt von < 0,5 % im Kopfraum mittels der Verschließvorrichtung nach der Erfindung verschlossener Behälter festgestellt werden. The purge gas is preferably inert gas, for example nitrogen, in question. The central nozzle arrangement and the peripheral nozzle arrangement together form a gas discharge area which is larger than the filling opening of a relevant container to be closed. During normal operation of the purging device, purge gas is thus blown from the central nozzle arrangement into the filling opening of the respective container on the one hand. At the same time, the peripheral nozzle arrangement brings purge gas into the region of the periphery of the filling opening. As a result, any possible suction effect of the central nozzle arrangement during the injection of the purge gas into the filling opening of the respective container does not introduce air and thus undesirable oxygen from the lateral environment into the filling opening, but at most any purge gas of the peripheral nozzle arrangement present there. The very good results obtained with the closing device according to the invention are a good proof of this. Thus, a residual oxygen content of <0.5% in the headspace could be determined by means of the closing device according to the invention of sealed containers.
Gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Verschließvorrichtung nach der Erfindung sind die Zentraldüsenanordnung und die Peripheriedüsenano- rdnung jeweils als Rohrelement ausgebildet, wobei das die Zentraldüsen- anordnung bildende Rohrelement in dem die Peripheriedüsenanordnung bil denden Rohrelement insbesondere konzentrisch aufgenommen ist. Eine sol- che Konstruktion ist mit einfachen Mitteln kostengünstig herstellbar und hat überdies den Vorteil, dass eine günstige Spülgasführung beim Spülen betref- fender Behälter möglich ist. In einer weiteren Ausführungsform kann die Pe- ripheriedüsenanordnung mehrere die Zentraldüsenanordnung ringsherum umgebende Peripheriedüsen aufweisen. Auch die Zentraldüsenanordnung kann ggf. mehrere Düsen als Bündel aufweisen. According to a preferred embodiment of the closing device according to the invention, the central nozzle arrangement and the peripheral nozzle arrangement are each designed as a tubular element, wherein the tube element forming the central nozzle arrangement is accommodated in particular concentrically in the tubular element forming the peripheral nozzle arrangement. Such a construction can be produced inexpensively by simple means and moreover has the advantage that a favorable purge gas guidance is possible when purging the container in question. In a further embodiment, the peripheral-nozzle arrangement may have a plurality of peripheral nozzles surrounding the central nozzle arrangement. The central nozzle arrangement may optionally have a plurality of nozzles as a bundle.
Vorzugsweise sind der Spülgasstrom der Zentraldüsenordnung und der Spülgasstrom der Peripheriedüsenanordnung separat steuerbar, um optima- le Verhältnisse beim Spülen einzustellen. Vorzugsweise entsprechen die Position zum Verschließen und die Spülposi- tion für einen jeweiligen zu spülenden und zu verschließenden Behälter ei- nander, wobei die Düsenvorrichtung relativ zu einem mittels der Positionier- einrichtung in die Position zum Verschließen eingebrachten Behälter zwi- schen der Spülposition und einer zurückgezogenen Stellung bewegbar ist. In der Spülposition ist sie mit ihrem Spülgasauslassende der Einfüllöffnung des Behälters diese überlappend gegenüberliegend positioniert. Auf diese Weise kann unter Verwendung entsprechender Antriebe der Verschließvorrichtung der abschließende Vorgang des Anbringens des Verschlusselementes, also das Verschließen des Behälters, rasch vorgenommen werden, nachdem die Düsenvorrichtung ihre Bewegung in die zurückgezogene Stellung zumindest weitestgehend durchgeführt hat. So kann weitestgehend verhindert werden, dass nach dem Spülvorgang und vor dem vollständigen Verschließen des Behälters wieder Luftsauerstoff durch die Einfüllöffnung in den Behälter ge- langen kann. Preferably, the purge gas stream of the central nozzle arrangement and the purge gas stream of the peripheral nozzle arrangement can be controlled separately in order to set optimum conditions during rinsing. The position for closing and the rinsing position for a respective container to be rinsed and sealed preferably correspond to one another, wherein the nozzle device moves between the rinsing position and a withdrawn position relative to a container brought into the position for closing by means of the positioning device Position is movable. In the rinsing position it is positioned with its Spülgasauslassende the filling opening of the container this overlapping opposite. In this way, using appropriate drives of the closing device, the final operation of attaching the closing element, ie closing the container, can be carried out quickly after the nozzle device has at least largely carried out its movement into the retracted position. Thus, it can largely be prevented that, after the rinsing process and before the container is completely closed, atmospheric oxygen can again reach the container through the filling opening.
Vorteilhafterweise ist bei einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung die Düsenvor- richtung so gestaltet, dass sie in der Spülposition schräg zur Einfüllöffnung eines in Position zum Verschließen positionierten und zu spülenden Behäl- ters orientiert ist. Eine solche Düsenvorrichtung kann auf kürzestem Wege, etwa durch seitliches Verschwenken oder/und seitliches Wegziehen aus ihrer Spülposition in die zurückgezogene Stellung schnell bewegt werden. Advantageously, in one embodiment of the invention, the nozzle device is designed such that it is oriented in the rinsing position obliquely to the filling opening of a container positioned in position for closing and to be rinsed. Such a nozzle device can be moved quickly from its rinsing position to the retracted position by the shortest route, such as by lateral pivoting and / or lateral withdrawal.
Weiterhin kann es noch vorgesehen sein, dass die Düsenvorrichtung an ih- rem Spülgasauslassende relativ zu der Rohrelementlängsachse abgeschrägt ist, so dass das Spülgasauslassende in der Spülposition der Düsenvorrich- tung zumindest näherungsweise in einer Ebene liegt, die sich parallel zu dem oberen Rand der Einfüllöffnung eines jeweiligen in Position zum Verschlie- ßen positionierten Behälters erstreckt. Eine derartige Anordnung erlaubt eine noch weitergehend verbesserte Strömungsführung des Spülgases beim Spü- len eines Behälters. Die Verschlusselementsetzvorrichtung kann gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung einen zwischen einer zurückgezogenen Passivstellung und einer vorgeschobenen Verschlusselement-Abgabestellung bewegbaren Ver- schlusselementhalter aufweisen, bei dem es sich beispielsweise um einen Stopfensetzer handeln kann, der einen Stopfen als Verschlusselement in die Einfüllöffnung eines zu verschließenden Behälters eindrücken kann. Furthermore, provision may be made for the nozzle device to be bevelled at its purge gas outlet end relative to the tube element longitudinal axis so that the purge gas outlet end in the purge position of the nozzle device is at least approximately in a plane parallel to the upper edge of the fill port of a nozzle respective container positioned in position for closure. Such an arrangement allows a still further improved flow guidance of the purge gas when purging a container. According to an embodiment of the invention, the closure element setting device can have a closure element holder that can be moved between a retracted passive position and an advanced closure element release position, which can be, for example, a stopper that can push a stopper as a closure element into the filling opening of a container to be closed ,
Die Verschließvorrichtung ist mittels der Steuereinrichtung vorzugsweise so steuerbar, dass die Bewegung des Verschlusselementhalters aus seiner zu- rückgezogenen Passivstellung in die vorgeschobene Verschlusselement- Abgabestellung und die Bewegung der Düsenvorrichtung aus der Spülpositi on in ihre zurückgezogene Stellung zumindest bereichsweise simultan erfol- gen. Auch dies dient der Minimierung eines Zeitraums zwischen dem geziel- ten Spülen und dem anschließenden Anbringen des Verschlusselementes an einen betreffenden Behälter, so dass in diesem Zeitraum kaum Luft in den Behälter strömen kann. The closing device is preferably controllable by means of the control device such that the movement of the closure element holder from its retracted passive position into the advanced closure element dispensing position and the movement of the nozzle device from the rinsing position to its retracted position occur at least in regions simultaneously. This also serves the minimization of a period between the targeted rinsing and the subsequent attachment of the closure element to a respective container, so that hardly any air can flow into the container during this period.
Gemäß einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung weist die Verschließvorrichtung eine Zustatzdüsenvorrichtung mit wenigstens einer Spüldüse zum Ausbrin- gen von Spülgas in Richtung des Verschlusselementhalters auf, so dass die Spüldüse Spülgas auf ein von dem Verschlusselementhalter für einen aktuel- len Schließvorgang bereitgehaltenes Verschlusselement blasen kann. According to a development of the invention, the closing device has a supplementary nozzle device with at least one rinsing nozzle for discharging purge gas in the direction of the closure element holder, so that the rinsing nozzle can blow rinsing gas to a closure element held ready by the closure element holder for a current closing operation.
Diese Maßnahme dient dazu, zu verhindern, dass Luftsauerstoff, der sich in einer Vertiefung des betreffenden Verschlusselementes befinden kann, mit in den zu verschließenden Behälter eingebracht wird. Die Zusatzdüsenvorrich- tung dient dazu, solche Luftsauerstoffreste durch Spülgas zu verdrängen und zu ersetzen, so dass mit einem betreffenden Verschlusselement zwar Spül gas aber möglichst kein Sauerstoff in einen betreffenden Behälter beim Auf- setzen des Verschlusselementes eingebracht werden kann. Gemäß einer weiterhin bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist die Positioniereinrichtung dazu ausgebildet, eine Gruppe von zu verschließen- den Behältern in eine Position zum Verschließen anzuordnen, wobei ferner die Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung zum Anbringen von Verschlussele- menten an eine entsprechende Gruppe von zu verschließenden Behältern in einer die Einfüllöffnungen verschließenden Stellung ausgebildet ist. Die Dü- senvorrichtung der Spüleinrichtung ist dabei mehrfach unter Bildung einer Gruppe gleichartiger Düsenvorrichtungen vorgesehen. This measure serves to prevent that atmospheric oxygen, which may be located in a recess of the closure element in question, is introduced into the container to be closed. The additional nozzle device serves to displace and replace such atmospheric oxygen residues by purge gas, so that flushing gas but as far as possible no oxygen can be introduced into a respective container when the closure element is placed with a relevant closure element. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the positioning device is adapted to arrange a group of containers to be closed in a position for closing, further comprising the closure element setting means for attaching Verschlussele- elements to a corresponding group of containers to be closed in one of the filling openings occlusive position is formed. The nozzle device of the rinsing device is provided several times to form a group of similar nozzle devices.
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung wird nachstehend unter Bezugnahme auf die einzelne Figur näher erläutert. An embodiment of the invention will be explained below with reference to the individual figure.
Die Figur zeigt eine teils schematische, ausschnittsweise Detailschnittdarstel- lung eines Bereichs der Verschließvorrichtung, in welchem das Spülen eines betreffenden Behälters mit Inertgas und das Verschließen des Behälters stattfinden. The figure shows a partially schematic, fragmentary detail sectional view of a region of the closing device, in which the flushing of a respective container with inert gas and the closing of the container take place.
In der Figur ist als Behälter ein Fläschchen 3 erkennbar, welches bis auf ein Kopfraumvolumen 5 mit einem sauerstoffempfindlichen flüssigen Pharma- zeutikum 7 befüllt ist. In the figure, a vial 3 can be seen as a container, which is filled with an oxygen-sensitive liquid pharmaceutical agent 7 except for a headspace volume 5.
Das Fläschchen 3 befindet sich in einer Positioniereinrichtung 9 der Ver- schließvorrichtung und ist mittels dieser Positioniereinrichtung 9 in die ge- zeigte Position zum Verschließen eingebracht worden, wobei diese Position zum Verschließen auch der Spülposition entspricht, in der beispielsweise Inertgas als Spülgas in den Kopfraum 5 des Fläschchens 3 eingebracht wird. The vial 3 is located in a positioning device 9 of the closure device and has been introduced by means of this positioning device 9 in the position shown for closing, this position for closing also corresponds to the rinsing position, in the example inert gas as purge gas in the headspace fifth of the vial 3 is introduced.
Flierzu dient eine Spüleinrichtung 11 , von der in der Figur im Wesentlichen eine Düsenvorrichtung 13 in ihrer Spülposition relativ zu dem Fläschchen 3 erkennbar ist. Die Düsenvorrichtung 13 weist als Zentraldüsenanordnung ein inneres zy- lindrisches Rohrelement 15 auf, welches in der Spülposition im Wesentlichen auf die Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläschchens 3 gerichtet ist, um dort das Inter- gas einzublasen. Flierzu serves a purging device 11, of which in the figure essentially a nozzle device 13 in its rinsing position relative to the vial 3 can be seen. The nozzle device 13 has, as a central nozzle arrangement, an inner cylindrical tubular element 15 which, in the rinsing position, is directed essentially onto the filling opening 18 of the vial 3 in order to inject the intergas there.
Die Düsenvorrichtung 13 umfasst ferner als Peripheriedüsenanordnung ein das Rohrelement 15 koaxial umgebendes zylindrisches Rohrelement 17, welches ebenfalls dazu dient, Inertgas auszubringen. Aus dem Zwischen- raum 19 zwischen dem zentralen Rohrelement 15 und dem peripheren Rohrelement 17 kann somit Inertgas in die Peripherie der Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläschchens 3 geblasen werden, um dort Luft und somit den Luftsau- erstoff zu verdrängen, damit er nicht aufgrund von Sogwirkungen beim Spül- vorgang in die Einfüllöffnung 18 eingesogen wird. The nozzle device 13 further includes, as a peripheral nozzle assembly, a cylindrical tube member 17 coaxially surrounding the tube member 15, which also serves to apply inert gas. From the intermediate space 19 between the central tube element 15 and the peripheral tube element 17, inert gas can thus be blown into the periphery of the filling opening 18 of the vial 3, in order to displace air there and thus the air oxygen, so that it does not escape due to suction effects Rinsing process is sucked into the filling opening 18.
Gemäß einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform der Erfindung kann das Rohrelement 17 oder/und das Rohrelement 15 am Ausgang der Düsenvor- richtung 13 trichterartig aufgeweitet sein. According to a modified embodiment of the invention, the tube element 17 and / or the tube element 15 at the outlet of the nozzle device 13 can be widened like a funnel.
Der auf die Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläschchens 3 gerichtete Gasstrom 20 des zentralen Rohrelementes 15 und der außen von dem peripheren Rohrele- ment 17 begrenzte Gasstrom 22 sind separat voneinander in ihrer Stärke steuerbar. Zur Steuerung dient eine Steuereinrichtung 24, welche auch die übrigen Funktionen der Verschließvorrichtung steuert. The directed onto the filling opening 18 of the vial 3 gas flow 20 of the central tube member 15 and the outside of the peripheral tube element 17 limited gas flow 22 are separately controllable in their strength. To control a control device 24, which also controls the other functions of the closing device is used.
Durch die beschriebene Vorgehensweise beim Spülen des Fläschchens konnte der Restsauerstoffgehalt im Kopfraumvolumen 5 des Fläschchens 3 auf einen extrem niedrigen Wert von < 0,5 % reduziert werden. By the described procedure when rinsing the vial, the residual oxygen content in the headspace volume 5 of the vial 3 could be reduced to an extremely low value of <0.5%.
Als eine weitere Maßnahme zur Minimierung des Restsauerstoffgehaltes in dem Fläschchen 3 dient eine Zusatzdüsenvorrichtung 26 mit wenigstens ei- ner Zusatzspüldüse 28, welche im Beispielsfall wiederum Inertgas in Rich- tung zu einem für den noch folgenden Verschließvorgang bereitgehaltenen Verschlusselement in Form eines Stopfens 30 gerichtet ist, so dass das Spülgas in die untere Vertiefung 32 des Stopfens 30 gelangt und dort Luft verdrängen kann. As a further measure for minimizing the residual oxygen content in the vial 3 is an additional nozzle device 26 with at least one additional rinsing nozzle 28, which in the example case again inert gas in the direction of a ready for the subsequent closing process Closure element in the form of a plug 30 is directed so that the purge gas enters the lower recess 32 of the plug 30 and can displace air there.
Der Rahmen 34 der Zusatzdüsenvorrichtung 26 ist so gebaut, dass die zu spülenden Bereiche 5, 32 nach außen hin gegen Lufteintritt gut abgeschirmt sind, wenn das Fläschchen 3 und die Düsenvorrichtung 13 in der gezeigten Spülposition sind. Auf diese Weise wird verhindert, dass Luft von außen in kritischen Mengen zu den gespülten Bereichen nachströmen kann. The frame 34 of the auxiliary nozzle device 26 is constructed so that the areas to be rinsed 5, 32 are well shielded against air ingress when the vial 3 and the nozzle device 13 are in the rinsing position shown. In this way it is prevented that air can flow in from the outside in critical quantities to the purged areas.
Der Stopfen 30 befindet sich am unteren Ende eines Eindrückstößels 36 als Verschlusselementhalter einer Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung 38. In der Figur ist der Eindrückstößel 36 in einer zurückgezogenen Passivstellung ge- zeigt, aus der heraus er in eine vorgeschobene Verschlusselement- Abgabestellung bewegbar ist, um den Stopfen 30 in die Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläschchens 3 einzudrücken. Bevor dies geschehen kann, muss jedoch erst die Düsenvorrichtung 13 aus dem Weg zwischen dem gezeigten Stopfen 30 und der Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläschchens 3 herausbewegt werden. Dies erfolgt sehr schnell nach dem Spülvorgang, indem die Düsenvorrichtung seit- lich unter Ausnutzung einer zumindest näherungsweise horizontalen Bewe- gungskomponente in der Figur nach rechts mittels einer betreffenden An- triebsvorrichtung (nicht gezeigt) in eine zurückgezogene Stellung bewegt wird. Nach oder ggf. schon während dieser Rückzugsbewegung der Düsen- vorrichtung 13 bewegt eine Antriebseinrichtung der Verschlusselementsetz- einrichtung 38 den Eindrückstößel 36 aus der in der Figur gezeigten zurück- gezogenen Passivstellung in eine vorgeschobene Verschlusselement- Abgabestellung, in der er den Stopfen 30 in die Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläsch- chens 3 eindrückt. Das Fläschchen 3 ist danach dicht verschlossen und weist einen allenfalls äußerst geringen Restsauerstoffgehalt in seinem Kopfraum 5 auf. Anzumerken ist noch, dass die Düsenvorrichtung 13 in ihrer Spülposition schräg zur Einfüllöffnung des in Position zum Verschließen positionierten und zu spülenden Fläschchens 3 orientiert ist. Ferner sei noch angemerkt, dass die Düsenvorrichtung 13 an ihrem Spülgasauslassende relativ zur Rohrele- mentlängsachse 42 abgeschrägt ist, so dass das Spülgasauslassende 40 in der Spülposition der Düsenvorrichtung 13 zumindest näherungsweise in ei- ner Ebene liegt, die sich parallel zu dem oberen Rand der Einfüllöffnung 18 des Fläschchens 3 erstreckt. Diese Maßnahmen dienen einerseits der Ver- besserung des Spüleffektes des Fläschchens 3, andererseits der schnelleren Beweglichkeit der Düsenvorrichtung 13 aus dem Raumbereich zwischen dem Stopfen 30 und der Einfüllöffnung 18. The plug 30 is located at the lower end of a push-in ram 36 as a closure member holder of a closure element setting device 38. In the figure, the push-in ram 36 is shown in a retracted passive position from which it is movable to an advanced closure element dispensing position to move the plug 30 in depress the filling opening 18 of the vial 3. Before this can happen, however, first the nozzle device 13 has to be moved out of the way between the stopper 30 shown and the filling opening 18 of the vial 3. This takes place very quickly after the rinsing process, in that the nozzle device is moved to the side to the right by means of a relevant drive device (not shown) by using an at least approximately horizontal movement component in the figure to a retracted position. After or possibly already during this retraction movement of the nozzle device 13, a drive device of the closure element setting device 38 moves the push-in ram 36 from the retracted passive position shown in the figure into an advanced closure element dispensing position, in which it places the stopper 30 into the filling opening 18 of vial 3. The vial 3 is then tightly closed and has at most extremely low residual oxygen content in its headspace 5. It should also be noted that the nozzle device 13 is oriented in its rinsing position obliquely to the filling opening of the vial 3 positioned in position for closing and to be rinsed. It should also be noted that the nozzle device 13 is beveled at its Spülgasauslassende relative to Rohrele- mentlängsachse 42 so that the Spülgasauslassende 40 in the rinsing position of the nozzle device 13 is at least approximately in a plane that is parallel to the upper edge of the filling opening 18 of the vial 3 extends. On the one hand, these measures serve to improve the rinsing effect of the vial 3, on the other hand, the faster mobility of the nozzle device 13 from the space between the stopper 30 and the filling opening 18.

Claims

Ansprüche claims
1. Verschließvorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern (3), die eine Einfüllöffnung (18) aufweisen, wie etwa Flaschen, Dosen, Vials, Karpulen oder Ampullen, 1. Closing device for closing containers (3) having a filling opening (18), such as bottles, cans, vials, cartridges or ampoules,
umfassend full
eine Positioniereinrichtung (9) zum Anordnen eines zu verschließen- den Behälters (3) in eine Position zum Verschließen,  a positioning device (9) for placing a container (3) to be closed in a position for closing,
- eine Spüleinrichtung (11 ) mit einer Düsenvorrichtung (13) zum Einbla- sen von Spülgas, insbesondere Inertgas, in einen zu verschließenden Behäl- ter (3) durch dessen Einfüllöffnung (18) hindurch vor dem Verschließen, eine Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung (38) zum Anbringen eines Verschlusselementes (30) an einen zu verschließenden Behälter (3) in einer dessen Einfüllöffnung (18) verschließenden Stellung und - A rinsing device (11) with a nozzle device (13) for injecting purging gas, in particular inert gas into a container to be sealed (3) through the filling opening (18) therethrough before closing, a closure element setting means (38) for attachment a closure element (30) to a container to be closed (3) in a closing position of its filling opening (18) and
eine Steuereinrichtung (24),  a control device (24),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, characterized,
dass die Düsenvorrichtung (13) eine Zentraldüsenanordnung (15) und eine die Zentraldüsenanordnung umgebende Peripheriedüsenanordnung (17) aufweist, wobei die Düsenvorrichtung (13) und ein zu verschließender Behäl- ter (3) so relativ zueinander in einer Spülposition positionierbar sind, dass die Zentraldüsenanordnung (15) zum Einbringen von Spülgas in den Behälter (3) zumindest hauptsächlich auf dessen Einfüllöffnung (18) ausgerichtet ist und die Peripheriedüsenanordnung (17) einen Peripheriebereich der Einfüllöff- nung (18) anvisiert, so dass sowohl die Einfüllöffnung (18) als auch deren Peripherie einem Spülgasstrom (20, 22) ausgesetzt sind, wenn die Düsen- vorrichtung (13) Spülgas ausbringt. in that the nozzle device (13) has a central nozzle arrangement (15) and a peripheral nozzle arrangement (17) surrounding the central nozzle arrangement, wherein the nozzle apparatus (13) and a container (3) to be closed can be positioned relative to one another in a rinsing position such that the central nozzle arrangement (15) is aligned for introducing flushing gas into the container (3) at least mainly on the filling opening (18) and the peripheral nozzle arrangement (17) anväisiert a peripheral region of the Einfüllöff- opening (18), so that both the filling opening (18) and the periphery of which are exposed to a purge gas stream (20, 22) when the nozzle device (13) discharges purge gas.
2. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 , dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zentraldüsenanordnung (15) und die Peripheriedüsenanordnung2. Closing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central nozzle arrangement (15) and the peripheral nozzle arrangement
(17) jeweils als Rohrelement ausgebildet sind, wobei das die Zentraldüsena- nordnung (15) bildende Rohrelement in dem die Peripheriedüsenanord- nung(17) bildenden Rohrelement insbesondere konzentrisch aufgenommen ist. (17) are in each case designed as a tubular element, the tube element forming the central nozzle arrangement (15) in which the peripheral nozzles are arranged. (17) forming tubular element is in particular taken concentrically.
3. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeich- net, dass die Position zum Verschließen und die Spülposition für einen jewei- ligen zu spülenden und zu verschließenden Behälter (3) einander entspre- chen und dass die Düsenvorrichtung (13) relativ zu einem mittels der Positi- oniereinrichtung (9) in die Position zum Verschließen eingebrachten Behälter (3) zwischen der Spülposition und einer zurückgezogenen Stellung bewegbar ist, wobei sie in der Spülposition mit ihrem Spülgasauslassende (40) der Ein- füllöffnung (18) des Behälters (3) diese überlappend gegenüberliegend posi- tioniert ist. 3. Closing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized marked, that the position for closing and the rinsing position for a respective to be rinsed and closed container (3) correspond to each other and that the nozzle device (13) relative to a between the rinsing position and a retracted position by means of the positioning device (9), in the rinsing position with its rinsing gas outlet end (40) of the filling opening (18) of the container (3 ) this is positioned overlapping each other.
4. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Düsenvorrichtung (13) in der Spülposition schräg zur Einfüllöffnung (18) eines in Position zum Verschließen positionierten und zu spülenden Be- hälters (3) orientiert ist. 4. Closing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the nozzle device (13) is oriented in the rinsing position obliquely to the filling opening (18) of a container positioned in position for closing and to be rinsed container (3).
5. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Düsenvorrichtung (13) an ihrem Spülgasauslassende (40) relativ zur Rohrelementlängsachse (42) abgeschrägt ist, so dass das Spülgasauslas- sende (40) in der Spülposition der Düsenvorrichtung (13) zumindest nähe- rungsweise in einer Ebene liegt, die sich parallel zu dem oberen Rand der Einfüllöffnung (18) eines jeweiligen in Position zum Verschließen positionier- ten Behälters (3) erstreckt. 5. Closing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the nozzle device (13) at its Spülgasauslassende (40) is chamfered relative to the tube element longitudinal axis (42), so that the Spülgasauslas- send (40) in the rinsing position of the nozzle device (13) at least close is approximately in a plane which extends parallel to the upper edge of the filling opening (18) of a respective positioned in position for closing container (3).
6. Verschließvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Verschlusselementsetzvorrichtung (38) einen zwischen einer zurückgezogenen Passivstellung und einer vorgescho- benen Verschlusselement-Abgabestellung bewegbaren Verschlusselement- halter (36) aufweist. 6. Closing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element setting device (38) has a between a retracted passive position and a vorbo enclosed closure element dispensing position movable closure element holder (36).
7. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 und 6, dadurch gekennzeich- net, dass sie mittels der Steuereinrichtung (24) so steuerbar ist, dass die Bewegung des Verschlusselementhalters (36) aus seiner zurückgezogenen Passivstellung in die vorgeschobene Verschlusselement-Abgabestellung und die Bewegung der Düsenvorrichtung (13) aus der Spülposition in ihre zu- rückgezogene Stellung zumindest bereichsweise simultan erfolgen. 7. Closing device according to claim 3 and 6, characterized in that it is controllable by means of the control device (24) so that the movement of the closure element holder (36) from its retracted passive position in the advanced closure element dispensing position and the movement of the nozzle device ( 13) from the rinsing position into its retracted position at least in regions simultaneously.
8. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeich- net, dass sie mittels der Steuereinrichtung (24) so steuerbar ist, dass der Verschlusselementhalter (36) stets aus seiner Verschlusselement- Abgabestellung herausbewegt ist, wenn die Düsenvorrichtung (13) in der Spülposition ist, wobei die Düsenvorrichtung (13) in der Spülposition zwi- schen der Einfüllöffnung (18) eines jeweiligen in Position zum Verschließen positionierten Behälters (3) und dem Verschlusselementhalter (36) positio- niert ist. 8. Closing device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized marked, that it by means of the control device (24) is controllable so that the closure element holder (36) is always moved out of its closure element dispensing position when the nozzle device (13) in the rinsing position wherein the nozzle device (13) in the rinsing position is positioned between the filling opening (18) of a respective container (3) positioned in position for closing and the closure element holder (36).
9. Verschließvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3 oder einen direkt oder indirekt auf Anspruch 3 rückbezogenen Anspruch, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Düsenvorrichtung (13) zwischen der zurückgezogenen Stellung und der Spülposition zumindest näherungsweise horizontal bewegbar, insbesondere in einer zumindest näherungsweise horizontalen Ebene verschwenkbar ist. 9. Closing device according to claim 3 or a claim directly or indirectly dependent on claim 3, characterized in that the nozzle device (13) between the retracted position and the rinsing position is at least approximately horizontally movable, in particular in an at least approximately horizontal plane is pivotable.
10. Verschließvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch eine Zusatzdüsenvorrichtung (26) mit wenigstens ei- ner Spüldüse (28) zum Ausbringen von Spülgas in Richtung des Verschlus- selementhalters (36), so dass die Spüldüse Spülgas auf ein von dem Ver- schlusselementhalter (36) für einen aktuellen Schließvorgang bereitgehalte- nes Verschlusselement (30) blasen kann. 10. Closing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an additional nozzle device (26) with at least one rinsing nozzle (28) for discharging purge gas in the direction of the closure element holder (36) so that the rinsing nozzle rinses purge gas to one of the End element holder (36) for a current closing process ready held nes closure element (30) can blow.
11. Verschließvorrichtung nach wenigstens einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der von der Zentraldüsenanord- nung (15) abgegebene Spülgasstrom (20) und der von der Peripheriedü- senanordnung (17) abgegebene Spülgasstrom (22) separat voneinander steuerbar sind. 11. Closing device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flushing gas flow (20) emitted by the central nozzle arrangement (15) and that of the peripheral device senanordnung (17) emitted purge gas stream (22) are separately controllable.
12. Verschließvorrichtung nach wenigstens einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Positioniereinrichtung zum Anordnen einer Gruppe von zu verschließenden Behältern in eine Position zum Verschließen ausgebildet ist, 12. Closing device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning device is designed for arranging a group of containers to be closed in a position for closing,
dass die Verschlusselementsetzeinrichtung zum Anbringen von Ver- schlusselementen an eine entsprechende Gruppe von zu verschließenden Behältern in einer die Einfüllöffnungen verschließenden Stellung ausgebildet ist,  in that the closure element setting device is designed for attaching closure elements to a corresponding group of containers to be closed in a position closing the filling openings,
dass die Düsenvorrichtung der Spüleinrichtung mehrfach unter Bil- dung einer Gruppe gleichartiger Düsenvorrichtungen vorgesehen ist.  the nozzle device of the flushing device is provided several times to form a group of similar nozzle devices.
EP18811714.7A 2017-11-27 2018-11-07 Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening Active EP3717397B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102017221193.8A DE102017221193A1 (en) 2017-11-27 2017-11-27 Closing device for gassing and closing of containers having a filling opening
PCT/EP2018/080479 WO2019101525A1 (en) 2017-11-27 2018-11-07 Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3717397A1 true EP3717397A1 (en) 2020-10-07
EP3717397B1 EP3717397B1 (en) 2021-12-08

Family

ID=64564809

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18811714.7A Active EP3717397B1 (en) 2017-11-27 2018-11-07 Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US11414229B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3717397B1 (en)
CN (1) CN111417593B (en)
DE (1) DE102017221193A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2902595T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2019101525A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20200277091A1 (en) 2020-09-03
CN111417593B (en) 2022-02-18
WO2019101525A1 (en) 2019-05-31
EP3717397B1 (en) 2021-12-08
CN111417593A (en) 2020-07-14
US11414229B2 (en) 2022-08-16
DE102017221193A1 (en) 2019-05-29
ES2902595T3 (en) 2022-03-29

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