Handling machine for containers

Abstract

A container-closing machine includes a central supporting column, a manipulation unit connected to the central supporting column, and a direct drive disposed between them. This drive produces reciprocal relative motion. The central supporting column defines an interior space containing the stator. The manipulation unit has a ring that defines an interior space with the rotor disposed therein. The ring and the column share a common axis of rotation that defines a radial plane perpendicular thereto along which the rotor and stator lie opposite each other and separated by a gap.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising a container closing machine, said container closing machine comprising a central supporting column, a manipulation unit connected to said central supporting column, and a first direct drive, said first direct drive comprising a stator and a rotor, wherein said first direct drive is disposed between said central supporting column and said manipulation unit connected to said central supporting column, wherein said first direct drive is configured to produce reciprocal relative motion, wherein said central supporting column defines an interior space, wherein said stator is disposed in said interior space defined by said central supporting column, wherein said manipulation unit comprises a ring, wherein said ring defines an interior space, wherein said rotor is disposed in said interior space defined by said ring of said manipulation unit, wherein said ring of said manipulation unit and said central supporting column share a common axis of rotation, wherein said common axis of rotation defines a radial plane perpendicular thereto, wherein said rotor and said stator lie in said radial plane opposite each other, and wherein said rotor and said stator are separated along said radial plane by a gap. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a manipulation element connected to said manipulation unit, and a second direct drive disposed between said manipulation unit and said manipulation element. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first direct drive and said second direct drive are configured to be operable independently of each other. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said second direct drive comprises a stator and a rotor, wherein said stator is connected to said manipulation unit and said rotor is movable relative to said stator. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said stator and said rotor of said second direct are separated by a gap along a radial plane defined by said axis of rotation. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second drives are arranged radially relative to said central supporting column along radial planes and are axially spaced relative to each other. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said radial planes are axially separated by an amount that is greater than or equal to a radial distance of said direct drives relative to said central supporting column. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein further comprising a plurality of manipulation elements disposed at a periphery of said manipulation unit, and a cam for acting upon said manipulation elements. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of manipulation elements, each equipped with a single drive that controls motion of said manipulation element, wherein said motion is selected from the group consisting of vertical motion and rotary motion. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said central supporting column comprises a central hollow column having a structure attached thereto, wherein said structure is selected from the group consisting of said stator and said rotor. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein said central supporting column comprises an outer wall surface, and wherein said structure, which is selected from the group consisting of said stator and said rotor, is flush with said outer wall surface of said central supporting column. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said first manipulation unit comprises a head plate, and wherein said ring is connected to an underside of said head plate. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said central supporting column and said manipulation unit are configured to be rotationally symmetric about a common and coincident central axis. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein said first direct drive and said second direct drive are configured to be rotationally symmetric about a common and coincident central axis. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a controller for triggering said first and second direct drives independently of each other. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said first manipulation unit comprises a head plate, wherein said ring is connected to an underside of said head plate, wherein said first direct drive controls a peripheral speed of said head plate relative to said central supporting column, and wherein said second direct drive controls a rotational and capping motion of said manipulation elements.