Container handling machine and method

Abstract

A container handling machine having at least one operative unit is disclosed. The container handling machine includes a first support unit configured to support a base of a filled and closed container, a second support unit configured to cooperate with an end of the container opposite the base, a plunger configured to selectively move along a longitudinal axis to deform the base of the container from a first swollen configuration to a second inwardly-retracted configuration, and an actuator configured to selectively move the plunger along the longitudinal axis between a first position, in which the plunger is detached from the base of the container, and a second position, in which the plunger deforms the base to the second configuration.

1 . A container handling machine having at least one operative unit for handling a container having a base, the machine comprising:
 a first support unit configured to support the base of the container;   a second support unit configured to cooperate with an end of the container opposite the base;   a plunger configured to selectively move along a longitudinal axis to deform the base of the container from a first configuration, in which the base is in an enlarged state and defines a first internal volume of the container, to a second configuration, in which the base is at least in part inwardly retracted with respect to the first configuration so as to define a second internal volume of the container that is smaller than in the first internal volume of the first configuration;   an actuator configured to selectively move the plunger along the longitudinal axis between a first position, in which the plunger is detached from the base of the container, and a second position, in which the plunger deforms the base to the second configuration of the base;   a control unit configured to selectively activate the actuator to move the plunger along the longitudinal axis between the first position and the second position;   wherein the second support unit is maintained at a constant distance along the longitudinal axis from the first support unit when the base is deformed; and   wherein the control unit includes a measuring unit configured to measure a physical quantity associated with a deforming force exerted by the plunger on the base of the container when the base is deformed as part of a determination of whether the container filled.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a comparator unit configured to compare a measured value of the physical quantity with a threshold value or a threshold range of the same physical quantity. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 2 , wherein the control unit is configured to generate a reject signal for rejecting the container when the measured value of the physical quantity differs from the threshold range or differs from the threshold value. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 3 , wherein the reject signal is generated by the control unit when the measured value of the physical quantity exceeds the threshold value or the threshold range, indicating that the container is overfilled. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes an electric motor, and wherein the physical quantity is the electric current absorbed by the electric motor during when the base is deformed. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first support unit includes a resting element configured to support the base of the container and having an opening through which the plunger is moved to deform the base of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 1 , further including a transportation unit configured to move the operative unit and the container along a processing path transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a labelling unit configured to apply a label onto an outer surface of the container while the operative unit and the container are being moved by the transportation unit along the processing path. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 7 , wherein the operative unit further includes a second actuator carried by the transportation unit and configured to rotate the resting element about the longitudinal axis while the label is applied onto the container. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 8 , wherein the second actuator is angularly coupled to the plunger to rotate the plunger, when in the second position, together with the resting element about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . A method for handling a container having a base, the method comprising:
 receiving the container in an operative unit having a first support unit configured to support the base of the container, and a second support unit configured to cooperate with an end of the container opposite the base;   moving a plunger along a longitudinal axis between a first position, in which the plunger is detached from the base of the container, and a second position, in which the plunger interacts with the base;   deforming, through moving the plunger along the longitudinal axis, the base of the container from a first configuration, in which the base is in an enlarged state and defines a first internal volume of the container, to a second configuration, where the plunger is in the second position and in which the base is at least in part inwardly retracted with respect to the first configuration so as to define a second internal volume of the container that is smaller than the first internal volume of the first configuration;   maintaining the second support unit at a constant distance along the longitudinal axis from the first support unit when the base is deformed; and   measuring a physical quantity associated with a deforming force exerted by the plunger on the base of the container when the base is deformed as part of a determination of whether the container is filled.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further including comparing the measured value of the physical quantity with a threshold value or a threshold range of the same physical quantity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including generating a reject signal for rejecting the container when the measured value of the physical quantity differs from the threshold range or differs from the threshold value. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the reject signal is generated when the measured value of the physical quantity exceeds the threshold value or the threshold range, indicating that the container is overfilled. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the plunger is moved by an electric motor, and wherein the physical quantity is the electrical current absorbed by the electric motor when the base is deformed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further including:
 moving the operative unit and the container along a processing path transverse to the longitudinal axis; and   applying a label onto an outer surface of the container while the operative unit and the container are being moved along the processing path.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein receiving the container in the operative unit includes accommodating the base of the container on a resting element of the first support unit, having an opening through which the plunger is moved to deform the base, and wherein the method further includes rotating the resting element about the longitudinal axis while the label is applied onto the container.