With Separate Closure Patents (Class 53/281)
  • Patent number: 11866313
    Abstract: A dispensing machine has a housing with an interior having a plurality of components. Among others, those components may include a return port accessible from the exterior of the housing and configured to receive containers, a cleaner configured to clean containers received from the return port, and a filler configured to add fluid (e.g., a liquid, such as a beverage) to one or more (clean) containers. In addition, the components also may include a capper configured to cap at least one container, and a dispenser configured to receive at least one capped container filled with fluid. The dispenser is configured to be accessible from the exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Automated Water Machines, Inc. (fna Kadeya)
    Inventors: Manuela S. Zoninsein, Rituraj Chauhan
  • Patent number: 11814276
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for closing containers with closures is disclosed. The apparatus includes a transport wheel, a feed device, and a closing device. The transport wheel continuously transports the containers and includes a plurality of transport wheel receptacles. Each transport wheel receptacle is able to receive a container. The transport wheel is designed to be rotatable about a transport wheel axis. The feed device is capable of clocked feeding of the containers to the transport wheel in a feed region of the apparatus. The closing device is arranged to close containers while they are accommodated in the transport wheel receptacles of the transport wheel. A method for closing the containers includes feeding containers to the transport wheel and closing the containers with a closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Syntegon Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Grimme
  • Patent number: 11772834
    Abstract: A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of location of sychronized and or unsynchronized components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: William T. Roe, Brian K. Williams, Christopher J. Samaras
  • Patent number: 11492165
    Abstract: A working line is for fluidic or fluid products contained in pre-dosed containers. The container includes a cover and/or lid for closing the container. The working line includes a first manipulation station having a manipulator to manipulate the cover and/or lid to remove the cover and/or lid from the container to open the container. A working station carries out at least one operation on the fluid product contained in the container after the removal of the cover and/or lid from the container. A second manipulation station includes a manipulator to manipulate the cover and/or lid to associate the cover and/or lid with the container to close the container. A transportation system moves the pre-dosed containers among different stations. The working station is located between the first manipulation station and the second manipulation station. The manipulator manipulates covers and/or lids associable with the container through joint-type and/or screw-type devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: DROMONT S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Drocco, Mario Drocco
  • Patent number: 10456330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule filling machine for filling a capsule (20), which comprises an upper capsule part (21) and a lower capsule part (22). Said capsule filling machine comprises a plurality of separate stations for handling the capsules (20) and a capsule separation device (30) and a capsule presence device (40), the capsule separation device (30) and the capsule presence device (40) being integrated into a common station (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Franck, Werner Runft, Jens Schlipf
  • Patent number: 9157784
    Abstract: A machine for dosing a plurality of products in capsules, or similar containers, includes a plurality of dosing units for filling the capsules with respective products and a turret arrangement that rotates intermittently and is arranged for housing and moving the capsules in sequence through the dosing units. The machine further includes a plurality of checking units, each of which is located downstream of a respective dosing unit for measuring a quantity of product dosed in the capsules by the respective dosing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Trebbi, Salvatore Fabrizio Consoli
  • Patent number: 9070177
    Abstract: Disclosed are an automatic medicine warehousing and releasing management system and a method of automatically warehousing and releasing medicines thereof. Warehoused medicines are arranged at proper positions on a storage shelf, and released medicines are discharged from the storage shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: JVM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun-Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20150121815
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for automatic application of lids to containers, said apparatus comprising a rotatable device unit comprising a plurality of circumferentially distributed lid holding members, a lid feeding unit, a glue application unit and a lid application unit. The lid holding members can be directed to each of the units simultaneously by rotating the rotatable device unit. The rotatable device unit further comprises an item application unit configured to fit an individual additional item onto the lid before the lid is attached to the container. The item application unit comprises an item supply unit and at least one movable gripping device configured to grip an individual additional item from the item supply unit and fit the individual additional item onto the lid. The invention also concerns a method for automatic application of lids to containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Lennart Larsson, Per Hagelqvist, Per Rasmusson
  • Patent number: 9021772
    Abstract: A machine for dosing a product in capsules, includes a rotating turret which has seats suitable for receiving empty capsules and a dosing device for dosing the product in the capsules. The machine further includes a feeding unit having a first weighing device for weighing empty capsules, a transfer arrangement for transferring empty capsules, when weighed, to predetermined seats of the turret for being filled with the product, a second weighing device for weighing capsules filled with the product, and a processing device connected to the first and second weighing device for receiving data relative to weights measured by the first and second weighing devices and for calculating for each capsule a difference between the weight measured before and the weight measured after filling. In this manner, a respective quantity of dosed product is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Bedetti
  • Patent number: 8978344
    Abstract: The invention is a device (10) for filling and sealing pharmaceutical containers. The containers are received in a receptacle (12), in which a carrier element (11) is inserted. The containers are arranged in receivers of the carrier element (11) in multiple rows. The device further includes a first handling unit (27) for removing the carrier element (11) from the receptacle (12), a filling and sealing device (35) for the containers, and a second handling unit (45) for reinserting the carrier element (11) into the receptacle (12) which is conveyed with the carrier element (11) on a conveying device (20). The containers are embodied as syringe barrels (1) or as containers which are to be provided with crimp caps (53), and the second handling device (45) is associated with a crimping device (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Krauss, Steffen Humpfer, Klaus Ullherr, Werner Mayer
  • Patent number: 8955563
    Abstract: A device for filling soluble containers is provided. The device includes an assembly for orienting capsules comprising a sheet component having a top sheet, a bottom sheet and a sliding sheet adapted to move between the top and bottom sheets. The top sheet includes slots for accommodating capsules, and the bottom sheet includes notches adapted to orient the capsules into a filling position. In a first position, the slots in the sliding sheet align with the slots in the top sheet. In a second position, the slots in the sliding sheet align with the notches in the bottom sheet. The assembly also includes a base component for guiding the oriented capsules therethrough. The base component can have an antistatic sheet fastened to the bottom surface. The sheet component can be loose fitted to the base component. An assembly for filling capsules is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventors: Raj Vikram Tahil, Santosh Puransingh Bhagat, Ajay Virendra Mistry
  • Patent number: 8935904
    Abstract: A plastic aerosol container includes a main body portion that is constructed and arranged to withstand aerosol pressurization within a range that is about 50-300 psig. The plastic aerosol container also includes a finish portion that is unitary with the main body portion. The finish portion may be threaded or unthreaded. The finish portion has a side wall, an upper sealing surface, at least one helical thread and a support ledge beneath the helical thread. Reinforcement structure is positioned beneath the support ledge for reinforcing the finish portion against deformation due to the pressurization. A method of stabilizing a plastic aerosol container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Tapan Y. Patel, Thomas E. Nahill, Stephen R. Guerin
  • Patent number: 8925289
    Abstract: This machine comprises a hopper (2) for storing empty straws, a station (5) for filling the straws, and a transfer device (3), such as a rotary barrel, which is provided with notches for receiving and holding the straws (p) and with which straws removed from the hopper are conveyed to the filling station (5); it is designed to process at least two categories of straws of different diameters, notches being subdivided into at least two distinct series that can be used selectively, the elements (90) of one of the two series being designed to adapt to straws of large diameter, while the elements (91) of the other series are designed to adapt to straws of small diameter. Machine that can be used in more than one way in the packaging of semen for artificial insemination, particularly of cows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Eurl Cryo Vet
    Inventor: Pascal Lecointe
  • Patent number: 8919078
    Abstract: A method of controlling a bottling plant, including detecting an operating state of the bottling plant, determining whether for the detected operating state the energy consumption and/or the consumable consumption of at least one consumer of the bottling plant can be reduced, and if it is determined that the energy consumption and/or the consumable consumption of at least one consumer can be reduced, reducing the energy consumption and/or the consumable consumption of the at least one consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Stefan Raith, Johann Lehner, Michael Aufhauser
  • Patent number: 8869496
    Abstract: A device for filling containers with liquid may include a first transport, which transports a plurality of containers through a filling chamber. The filling chamber may include a sterile space. A plurality of treatment members may be arranged in the filling chamber for treating the containers, with at least one of these treatment members being a filling member which fills the containers with the liquid. The first transport may be designed in such a way that it transports the containers through the filling chamber in a cyclic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Roland Laumer, Johann Justl
  • Publication number: 20140230367
    Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a loading chute having a ceiling or door having at least a portion configured to open and close and a floor underlying and in cooperating alignment with the ceiling. The ceiling and floor are configured to cooperate to encase a product chamber with an axially extending open channel therebetween. At least one of the floor and ceiling reciprocates in a substantially vertical direction between a first loading position corresponding to when the ceiling is open and a second operative position corresponding to when the ceiling is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew D. Lowder, Thomas E. Whittlesey
  • Patent number: 8800248
    Abstract: [Problem] To realize a predetermined “aseptic level of the containers” without introducing a container sterilizing machine and to reduce the burden for adjusting the temperature of the preform. [Means for Solution] A metal mold for molding, wherein a space width (t2) of at least the body portion in the space width for forming a thickness of from the body portion to the bottom portion of the preform is set to lie in a range of 1.18 to 2.11 times as great as a space width (t1) for forming a thickness of an upper end portion of the mouth portion of the preform. At the time of the compression molding, the preform is taken out in the state of a high temperature from a compression-molding machine 31 and is fed to a bottle-producing unit C while maintaining the state of a high temperature. Further, the inner surfaces of a clean box I in which the units are placed and the outer surfaces of the units are sterilized, and the interior of the clean box I maintains a positive-pressure state with the filtered clean air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Imatani, Takeshi Iwashita, Hiroyuki Hashimoto, Hideto Monzen, Hotaka Fukabori, Hiroyuki Kondou
  • Patent number: 8784920
    Abstract: In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: St. Dalfour SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Francois M. Bardou, Roland Guezennec, Jean-Pierre Lhommond
  • Patent number: 8776482
    Abstract: A passage for the sealed and/or sterile passage of a functional element (15), for example a rod and/or wave-like functional element through at least one wall (6) separating a sterile chamber (5) from an non-sterile chamber, comprising at least one hydraulic seal (20) enabling a relative movement of the functional element (15) in relation to the at least one wall (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Drenguis
  • Patent number: 8745961
    Abstract: A multi-pharmaceutical dispensing station includes a circular platform around which a plurality of individual dispensers is arrayed at a convenient loading height. Each dispenser accepts a single bulk canister containing one pharmaceutical. Cylindrical, empty prescription containers carry labels bearing indicia of the patient and pharmaceutical to be dispensed into each container. Sensors detect the indicia and direct the containers to the proper dispenser which fills them with the type and quantity of a pharmaceutical according to the indicia. Incident containers first drop into a dispersion wheel which translates them around the circular station and aligns them with a vertical chute leading to the correct dispenser. After filling, the containers are urged onto a moving, circular table which conveys them to automatic closing and sealing apparatus. Once closed and sealed, the containers exit the dispenser station through pneumatic tubing which conveys them to verification, sorting and shipping stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Tension International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Terzini
  • Publication number: 20140123596
    Abstract: Computer programs for systems with reruckers configured to automatically reruck casing material such as netting in an upstream direction on a chute or horn proximate in time to a clipping operation to pull a clipped end portion of the casing snugly against a discharge end of the chute or horn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew D. Lowder, Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May
  • Patent number: 8701719
    Abstract: A method for filling containers with liquid. Liquid is provided from a reservoir and at least two filling positions, of a filling position group, are each configured to fill a container with liquid at a filling rate. With a common flow meter, a total volume of liquid flowing into the containers at the filling positions of the filling position group is measured during a filling phase. A liquid control valve of each of the filling positions is opened and closed in response to: a measurement signal provided by the flow meter; and at least one of (a) and (b) where: (a) is a time correction compensating for filling rates being different for the filling positions; and (b) is at least one throttle influencing the filling rates. The containers at the filling positions are filled such that each of the containers contains a required volume of liquid at the end of the filling phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 8689525
    Abstract: A machine (M) for filling and capping vials (F), comprising, arranged in a cascade fashion: a supply station (1) of empty vials (F); an Archimedes screw (2) having a rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal development of the machine (M), supplied with the vials (F) in arrival from the supply station (1); a device (D) for disengaging a predetermined number of vials (F) from the screw (2), activated in phase relation with the screw (2), and for transferring the vials (F) transversally; a comb conveyor (3), step-moved and designed to receive the predetermined number of vials (F) from the device (D); a filling station (6, 7), designed for introduction of a liquid solution contemporaneously into a plurality of vials (F); a capping station (10, 11) for contemporaneously sealing a plurality of vials (F); an outlet zone (U) for conveying the vials (F) out of the operating line of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 8671650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transfer line for the transfer of identical filled two-piece capsules between two successive processing stations comprising a and on unloading area, a plurality of identical transfer units each comprising a plurality of cavities each adapted to receive a capsule at the loading area and to let such capsule being unloaded at the unloading area, said plurality of cavities of each transfer unit being designed so as to receive in a first relative configuration the groups of filled two-piece capsules when located at a loading position in the loading area and so as to discharge these groups when located at an unloading position in the unloading area, a conveyor device adapted to temporarily and individually support the transfer units so as to transfer them from the loading position to the unloading position and vice-versa, while keeping them substantially in a same orientation in the loading and unloading positions, and at least from the loading position to the unloading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Capsugel Belgium NV
    Inventors: Gunther Victor Maria Emiel Van Goolen, Stefaan Jaak Vanquickenborne, Nigel Harrison
  • Patent number: 8646245
    Abstract: A method for packaging a fluid product dispenser, where the said dispenser includes a reservoir (1) of constant effective volume filled with a fluid product (10), and a dispensing device (3) that includes a dip tube (2) which is intended to extract the fluid product (10) contained in the reservoir on operation of the dispensing device (3), the reservoir (1) and the dip tube (2) being made from a material or materials that are substantially or perfectly transparent, where the said dip tube initially contains air (A), and the dip tube (2) is connected to the dispensing device and has one free end extending to the bottom of the reservoir, the method being characterized in that the air (A) is extracted from the dip tube (2) and is replaced by the fluid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventors: Alain Behar, Emmanuel Vilain
  • Patent number: 8640432
    Abstract: A mixing, processing, sealing and bottling machine for substances used to prepare cosmetics is provided. The machine is driven by external means and includes a cabinet, where command panels are externally placed and a bottling station. The devices are used by a user to prepare cosmetics and related products comprising chemicals or natural substances prescribed in personal formulas originating from prescriptions from professionals or pre-programmed formulations. The machine can be connected to a printing device for printing the formula or recording means for recording the formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ana Lúcia Schmidt Lourenço Rodrigues
  • Patent number: 8631630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure head for container closure machines (1) for closing bottles or similar containers with closures, having a head part, having a receptacle formed on a head part and open on the bottom of the closure head and the head part for one closure each, wherein the receptacle forms at least one radial and at least one axial contact surface relative to an axis of the receptacle for the closure received in the receptacle, and wherein the radial contact surface for at least force-fit retaining of the closure in the receptacle is formed of at least one displaceable segment displaceable at least radially to the axis of the receptacle at least in the area of the radial contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Naaber
  • Patent number: 8621825
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capsule support arrangement for a filling and closing machine for two-part capsules with a capsule upper part and a capsule lower part. The capsule support arrangement includes an upper part segment for receiving capsule upper parts and a lower part segment for receiving capsule lower parts. The upper part segment and the lower part segment respectively have at least one first receiving opening with a first diameter and a second receiving opening with a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schmied, Tobias Fritz
  • Publication number: 20140001073
    Abstract: An apparatus for packaging instant noodles includes a transferring device configured to transfer instant noodle packaging containers in which instant noodles are inserted through a supply device; an alignment device configured to position images including a product name displayed on external surfaces of the respective instant noodle packaging containers in the same direction and align the instant noodle packaging containers when the instant noodle packaging containers in which the instant noodles are received are transferred by the transferring device; and a cover closing and sealing device configured to receive a cover, in which another image including the product name is displayed, from a cover supply part, make the image formed in the cover correspond to the image formed in the instant noodle packaging container in the same direction, and seal an opened portion of the instant noodle packaging container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: OTTOGI RAMYON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kap Soo KIM
  • Patent number: 8601777
    Abstract: A machine (M) for packing vials (F) includes a supply station (1) of empty vials (F) and an Archimedes screw (3) having a rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal development of the machine (M), activated in phase relation with the supply station (1) from which it receives the vials (F). A first device (4) has at least two cogged sectors, rotating on a common axis independently of one another, alternatively activated in phase relation with the screw (3). The machine has a comb conveyor (5), which is step-moved and designed to receive the vials (F) from one or another of the cogged sectors of the first device (4), and a filling station (8), for introduction of a liquid solution contemporaneously into a plurality of vials (F). The machine has a statistical weighing station (10) for the vials (F), arranged in proximity to the filling station (8), able to detect a tare and a gross weight of sample vials (F). A capping station (11) is provided for at least partly sealing a plurality of vials (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 8561376
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for dispensing a prescribed product in a Petri dish, the device comprising pistons, a transfer member with lid-bearing openings and a dish bottom, and a dispensor. According to the disclosure, the transfer member is a shuttle capable of translation relative to the base according to a direct reciprocating movement of the bearing openings between either of first and second stop positions, the dispensor being arranged so as to dispense the product above the inner opening and under the upper opening at the bottom of the dish when the openings are in a position selected from the first and second stop positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: AES Chemunex
    Inventor: Nicolas Brelivet
  • Patent number: 8561282
    Abstract: A method of coupling a container body (2) and a cover member (3) in a capsular container (1) includes a filling step for filling liquid medicine, powdered medicine, or granular medicine in the container body (2), and a fitting step for fitting the container body (2) to the cover member (3) under an atmosphere at a negative pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure. Consequently, the pressure inside the joined container (1) does not exceed atmospheric pressure, the filling (37) which fills the inside of the container (1) can be prevented from leaking out between the container body (2) and the cover (3), and it is also possible to prevent bending of the container (1) which starts from the weak portion of the container (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nosaka Tec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sachiyo Hirota
  • Patent number: 8528304
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for producing a content filling bottle including a bottom part that is inverted between a concave shape and a convex shape to prevent a body part from being subjected to reduced pressure deformation, the method and device being capable of efficiently producing a sanitary and high-quality content filling bottle. Contents are filled into an empty bottle 1 with an inversion part 11 projecting outwardly from the body part. A cap 6 is fitted onto an opening of the bottle 1 to seal the bottle 1. An auxiliary tool 27 is then installed on the bottom part 5 of the bottle 1. Then, the bottom part of the bottle 1 with the auxiliary tool 27 installed thereon is supported via the auxiliary tool 27. The downwardly projecting inversion part 11 is pressed up so as to be inverted and recessed inwardly into the bottle 1. Subsequently, with the opening of the bottle 1 gripped, the auxiliary tool 27 is separated from the bottle 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Shunzo Miyazaki, Yasuhiro Sato, Akio Watanabe, Masaru Kimura
  • Patent number: 8505269
    Abstract: Charges accumulated inside a wall structure of a resin vessel, which is sterilized by an electron beam irradiator, and an ionizer disposed outside a filler emits to the outer surface of the resin vessel are eliminated with negative ions having the same polarity as that of charges accumulated in the wall section of the resin vessel, while conveying the resin vessel sterilized by the electron beam irradiator to the filler, by which liquid fills the resin vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Shibuya Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Kobayashi, Mitsuomi Narita, Tomohiko Sugimori, Tsunehiko Yokoi, Yukinobu Nishino, Masami Hayashi, Takashi Kadoya, Tokuo Nishi, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Takuya Onishi, Takahiro Kida, Kouichi Murata
  • Patent number: 8429880
    Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced therein. The deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers. After the conveying, a moveable element it a bottom end of each container is activated substantially permanently to remove the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company L.P.
    Inventors: Paul V. Kelley, Scott E. Bysick
  • Patent number: 8413409
    Abstract: Apparatus for handling and filling flexible pouches in which a feeder mechanism 300 delivers a chain of interlinked flexible pouches 200 to a selector mechanism 600 comprising a linear actuator 602 and selector head 604 operable to detach the leading pouch 200 from the chain of pouches and move the selected pouch 200 to a station for removing a cap from the pouch 200, filling the pouch 200 with liquid, re-attaching the cap and releasing the pouch for dispense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Nighy, Scott Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8381494
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an aseptic product filling machine includes the steps of performing a pre-production test procedure during a pre-production phase in which at least a set of subcritical control parameters are measured, diagnosed and stored, checking if those subcritical control parameters are within their range, starting a production phase if all of the subcritical control parameters are indeed within their range, and measuring, diagnosing and storing a set of supercritical control parameters and not the subcritical control parameters during the production phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Stork Food & Dairy Systems B.V.
    Inventor: Bernardus Antonius Johannes Krakers
  • Patent number: 8381496
    Abstract: A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company LP
    Inventors: Greg Trude, John W. Tobias, Richard K. Ogg
  • Patent number: 8381491
    Abstract: There is provided an improved vial lid fastening device capable of reliably completing lid fastening in a short time. The vial lid fastening device 30 has a lid rotating device 51, a lid placing member 52, 53, a transporting device 55, 56, a first lid body reservoir 115, 116, a vial lid holding and supplying device 57, and a vial discharging device 58. A lid body 3 slides on an inclined flat surface 102 to reach a terminal mechanism part 101, and a stepped section 31 of the lid body 3 engages a stepped section holder 105. The lid body 3 is grasped by chuck claws 35 and is rotated as engaged to the terminal mechanism part 101 of the stepped section holder 105. Then, one of rotation regulating protrusions 28a, 28b of the lid body 3 is allowed to collide with a rotation preventing member 107 of the lid placing member 52. Thus, position determination in a rotation direction is performed with reference to the rotation regulating projections 28a, 28b and such position is maintained fixedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Takafumi Imai, Minoru Tano, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Publication number: 20130042578
    Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a method of filling and sealing a beverage container, the method comprising the steps of: a) dispensing a predetermined amount of beverage, preferably wine, into an open-topped container having a circular rim, preferably a plastics wine glass, to leave a headspace above the beverage in the container; b) temporarily tacking a generally flat flexible film lid sized to fit over the open top to the rim of the container at at least one position around the rim while leaving the remainder of the rim free; c) engaging the tacked lid to cause flexure thereof to create a gap between the lid and the rim on one side; d) dispensing an inert gas, preferably nitrogen, through the gap so created and into the headspace to displace air therefrom; and e) bringing a heat sealer into engagement with the lid to heat seal the lid to the rim about its entire circumference, thereby trapping the inert gas within the headspace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: Guy JACKSON-EBBEN, James Nash
  • Patent number: 8333052
    Abstract: In a machine for filling capsules, each of which defined by a bottom and a cap, with pharmaceutical products, the bottoms and the caps of the capsules are moved forward in sequence about a plurality of wheels provided with at least two actuating members movable under the control of respective tappets engaged in respective cams to open and close the capsules themselves, respectively; the cams being obtained on the outer surface of a drum mounted to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axes of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: MG 2- S.R.L.
    Inventors: Angelo Ansaloni, Ernesto Gamberini
  • Publication number: 20120311962
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling containers with a plurality of handling units for handling the containers, which handling units contain at least one filling device for filling the containers with a flowable medium, a closure device disposed downstream in a transport direction of the containers for closing the filled containers with closures, and with a labelling device for labelling the containers, and with a transport device for transporting the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hahn, Timo Pronold, Johannes Boehm
  • Publication number: 20120305518
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a container for a beverage filled in a hot fill process. The container may include a bottle and a closure. The closure may include a vent therein having a top side with an amount of excess material and a bottom side with a porous component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph M. Ladina, Robert P. Grant, Sterling Steward, Louis Mattos, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120240518
    Abstract: A machine for filling and crimping tubular vials is provided, which includes a horizontally mobile conveyor for moving the filled and crimped vials and discharging the same towards an outlet station. The carousel includes vertical through-holes defining cavities for the vials. The machine includes a ramp provided under the carousel on which the lower ends of the vials bear. The ramp includes a horizontal portion followed by an inclined portion for the partial descent of the vials before discharging the latter towards the outlet station. The he machine further includes a curved rail having a vertical end connected to the lower end of the inclined portion and another end leading horizontally into the outlet station. The machine can be used for packaging wine in tubular vials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Charly Pairaud, Laurent De Crasto, Stéphane Morganti
  • Patent number: 8256474
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage, having a flow meter integrated into the filling element and located in the flow path for filling bottles with a liquid beverage and a filling machine having such a filling element. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Stienen
  • Patent number: 8230662
    Abstract: A system for filling medication dose packs with oral-solid medication items comprises storage tray drawers each having storage trays. Each storage tray stores a specific type of oral-solid medication item. The storage tray drawers are displaceable to a drawn position to expose the storage trays thereof. A table supports dose packs having a plurality of receptacles arranged in rows, with each receptacle associated with an intake time and date of a patient prescription file. A dispensing mechanism has fingers for grasping by suction an oral-solid medication item, and degrees of freedom to displace the fingers from any one of the storage trays to the dose pack, to transfer the oral-solid medication items from the storage trays in the drawn position to the receptacles of the dose pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Synergie Medicale BRG Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Boutin
  • Publication number: 20120186193
    Abstract: A feeding assembly for metering tablets into capsules is provided, wherein a given number of tablets are first loaded into relative metering holes in a dispenser plate mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis tilted with respect to a vertical direction, and are then unloaded into the bottom shell of a capsule from a feed channel formed through a vibrating feed disk mounted to rotate about a substantially vertical longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Davide Frabetti, Ernesto Gamberini
  • Publication number: 20120151873
    Abstract: A system for filling bottles or similar receptacles in a sterile or aseptic manner comprises a receptacle supplying mechanism, by means of which the receptacles that are to be filled are supplied to the system, a receptacle discharge mechanism, by means of which the full, closed receptacles are removed from the system, at least one unit designed as a filler for filling the receptacles, a unit designed as a closing device for closing the full receptacles, and a housing forming at least one sterile space, inside which at least an area of the receptacles that includes a receptacle opening is accommodated during the filling and closing process and to which a sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium can be fed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Niehr
  • Patent number: 8191339
    Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: FHT, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Tribble, Joel A. Osborne, Abdul Wahid Khan, Edward J. Lefebre
  • Patent number: 8171701
    Abstract: Method and system for handling a plurality of hot-filled and capped containers having temporary deformations or distortions caused by vacuums induced in the containers. For each container, temporary deformations are confined or directed to a particular portion of the container. Annular hoop rings can be provided to confine the temporary deformations to a smooth sidewall portion of the container between the annular hoop rings. Alternatively, one or more supplemental vacuum panels can be provided to confine or direct the temporary deformation thereto. The annular hoop rings and the one or more supplemental vacuum panels can provide for substantially stable touch points for the container. The containers are conveyed with temporary deformations such that substantially stable contact points of each container are in contact with corresponding substantially stable contact points of other containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Graham Packaging Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul V. Kelley, Scott B. Bysick