Apparatus for Closing Containers

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus for closing containers, preferably pharmaceutical containers. The apparatus includes a closing device which surrounds a closing element of the container. The closing device is provided with a magnetic mechanism, such as an electromagnetic coil, which generates a magnetic force and thereby deforms the closure element. The deformation of the closure element closes and seals the opening of the container. The closing device is designed such that the closing device applies the magnetic force to only a part of the closure element, for example, the edge of the closure element.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for closing containers, such as a pharmaceutical container having at least one closure element, comprising:
 a closing device disposed around the closure element for reshaping the closure element in order to close an opening in the container and seal the container; and   magnetic means disposed in the closing device for generating a magnetic force which is applied to the closure element and thereby reshapes the closure element, wherein the closing device is embodied so that the magnetic means exerts the magnetic force on only a part of the closure element.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the magnetic means comprises at least one magnet, and wherein the closing device encloses the closure element in a enclosed state such that the at least one magnet is situated so that only the part of the closure element is subjected to the magnetic force. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the closing device comprises shielding means that shield at least a part of the closure element from the magnetic force generated by the magnetic means. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the closing device includes a die that exerts a force on the closure element at least during the reshaping process. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the closing device used is for transporting the closure element and/or the container. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein the closing device is composed of at least two parts, that are movable transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of the container to be closed. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising a protective cap disposed on the closure element, wherein an outer diameter of a protective cap is larger than that of the closure element and thereby defines an air gap (L) disposed between the closure element and the closing device. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus according to claim  1 , further comprising a centering device for the container which sets an air gap (L) with the same spacing on all sides between the closing device and the part of the closure element to be reshaped. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising a die holding the closure element by means of a force exerted on the closure element and/or on a stopper in the opening of the container during the reshaping process. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the die is structurally connected to the closing device. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the die is structurally connected to the closing device. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the force on the stopper is introduced by means of pressure exerted on the container from below, pushing the container against the die. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein after the reshaping of the closure element is completed, the container is ejected from the closing device by means of a linear movement of the die in the direction of the central axis of the container. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of closing devices disposed in parallel, wherein the closing devices function simultaneously to affix closure elements to a plurality of containers by means of reshaping of the closure elements. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein the magnet is embodied in the form of an electromagnet. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the magnetic means of each of the plurality of closing devices is embodied in the form of an electromagnet. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein the electromagnets of the closing devices are supplied with current from the same electrical source.