Rotary seamer

Abstract

A rotary seamer ( 1 ) is provided with a carrousel ( 2 ) and with at least one seaming station ( 3 ) associated with the carrousel ( 2 ) and comprising a rod-like element ( 6 ) rotating around its own longitudinal axis, a seaming tool ( 4 ) rotatably connected to a lever ( 5 ) integral with the rod-like element ( 6 ) and means for rotating the rod-like element ( 6 ) around its own longitudinal axis, in such a way as to displace the seaming tool ( 4 ) from an operative position, in which it interacts with an object seaming it, to a deactivated position, of non interference with the object, an electric actuator ( 11 ) associated with the carrousel ( 2 ) and means for connecting said electric actuator ( 11 ) to the seaming tool ( 4 ), to rotate it around its own longitudinal axis. In known seamers, the seaming tool is mounted idle on the lever, this entailing limitations and drawbacks with regard to the hygiene and reliability of the seamer.

1 . A rotary seamer ( 1 ) provided with a carrousel ( 2 ) and with at least one seaming station ( 3 ) associated with the carrousel ( 2 ) and comprising:
 a rod-like element ( 6 ) rotating around its own longitudinal axis;   a seaming tool ( 4 ) rotatably connected to a lever ( 5 ) integral with the rod-like element ( 6 );   means for rotating the rod-like element ( 6 ) around its own longitudinal axis, in order to displace the seaming tool ( 4 ) from an operative position, in which it interacts with an object seaming it, to a deactivated position, of non interference with the object;   
     characterised in that it comprises, in combination:
 an electric actuator ( 11 ) associated with the carrousel ( 2 ); 
 means for connecting said electric actuator ( 11 ) to the seaming tool ( 4 ), to rotate it around its own longitudinal axis. 
 
   
   
       2 . Seamer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said means for rotating the rod-like element ( 6 ) comprise, in combination:
 an electric actuator ( 7 ) associated with the carrousel ( 2 );   means for connecting the rod-like element to the electric motor;   control means operatively active on the electric motor ( 7 ) to rotate the rod-like element ( 6 ) according to a predefined logic.   
   
   
       3 . Seamer as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said means for connecting the rod-like element ( 6 ) to the electric motor ( 7 ) comprise a system of gears ( 9 ,  10 ). 
   
   
       4 . Seamer as claimed in  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said control means comprise an electronic board connected to a sensor able to sense an angular position of the carrousel ( 2 ). 
   
   
       5 . Seamer as claimed in any of the previous claims, comprising control means operatively active on the electric actuator ( 11 ), to manage the rotation of the seaming tool ( 4 ) according to the rotation of the rod-like element ( 6 ). 
   
   
       6 . Seamer as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said control means are operatively active on the electric actuator ( 11 ) to adjust its velocity of rotation. 
   
   
       7 . Seamer as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein said electric actuator ( 11 ) is connected to the seaming tool ( 4 ) in such a way as to rotate it in the opposite direction with respect to the direction of rotation of the object to be seamed. 
   
   
       8 . Seamer as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein said seaming tool ( 4 ) is a roller internally provided with pre-loaded bearings. 
   
   
       9 . Seamer as claimed in any of the previous claims, comprising an additional seaming tool ( 4 ) rotatably associated with said lever ( 5 ). 
   
   
       10 . Seamer as claimed in any of the  claims 2  to  4 , wherein said control means comprise a diagnostic signaller activated according to the trend in the value of a control quantity of the electric motor ( 7 ). 
   
   
       11 . Seamer as claimed in any of the previous claims, comprising a plurality of seaming stations ( 3 ) associated with the carrousel ( 2 ) and an electrical panel connected to the electric actuators ( 11 ) of the respective seaming stations. 
   
   
       12 . Seamer as claimed in any of the  claim 2 - 4  or  10  or  11 , wherein the control means interact with a software defining said predefined logic, to adjust the time of permanence of the seaming tool ( 4 ) in the operative position. 
   
   
       13 . Seamer as claimed in any of the  claim 2 - 4  or  10 - 12 , wherein the control means interact with a software defining said predefined logic, to adjust the velocity of actuation of the seaming tool ( 4 ) from the deactivated position to the operative position. 
   
   
       14 . Seamer as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said electrical panel is contained in a pressurised environment.