Abstract: A gripping assembly for a capping head for applying caps on containers, as well as a capping head, are provided. The gripping assembly comprises a hollow body longitudinally extending along a vertical axis and internally defining a seat delimited at its lower end by an inlet mouth for the introduction of a cap. An ejector member is housed inside the hollow body such that the ejector member is free to slide axially. The gripping assembly further comprises a suspension member made of magnetic material or magnetizable material, and the ejector member carries a first magnetic element that interacts with the suspension member to determine a suspension condition of the ejector member. The magnetic interaction between the first magnetic element and the suspension member is such that the suspension condition is determined only when the ejector member is brought in close proximity of or, in contact with, the suspension member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a transfer plate for a container element. The transfer plate extends in a first direction and a second direction being perpendicular to each other. The transfer plate comprises a cavity portion comprising at least one through-going first cavity adapted to receive and hold the container element, the first cavity having a first open area. The transfer plate further comprises a cover portion being at least as large as, or substantially as large as, the first open area. The disclosure further relates to an attachment unit for attaching a container element to a container body and to an apparatus for attaching container elements to container bodies in a flow of containers. In addition the disclosure relates to a method of attaching a container element to a container body by means of the attachment unit.

Abstract: A stand-alone manually operated device for capping a filled beverage container with a lid. Lids are staged within the apparatus in a bulk storage queue and are individually transferred from a bulk storage queue and applied to a beverage container by physical contact to the application mechanism. The mechanism ensures the sealing rim of the lid is completely engaged on the beverage container without human contact on hygienic surfaces. Once the operator disengages, the mechanism automatically retracts to a resting position and the next lid is engaged.

Abstract: A device for fitting a screw cap to a container, the device comprising a guide (104) for insertion of a container (106) along a first axis (108), and a holding area (110) for loading of the cap(s) (114) along a second axis (116). The holding area is coupled to the guide so as to form a channel (112) there-between. A slider (118) is movable along the channel so as to allow loading of the cap into the holding area and subsequently bring the cap into contact with a rotating engaging element (120). The slider holds the cap in place against the rotating engaging element while it rotates to fit the cap to the container. The first axis is different from the second axis such that the cap is supported by a portion of the guide upon release from the holding area.

Abstract: A guide track associated with a capping machine, including a capping head that is adjustable to fit the different formats of bottles. The track has, upstream from and adjacent to the capping head, a telescopic portion having a section rigidly connected to the capping head and movable with the latter, and a stationary section rigidly connected to a general frame. The telescopic portion of the guide track for caps includes side walls, the surface of which is smooth, regardless of the position of the stationary section and the movable section in relation to one another. The stationary section and the movable section are transversely shifted, and guided with regard to one another, by a runner system.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is a capsule-sealing machine that uses a heat-sealing process to apply sterile aluminum blank capsules on food or drink containers or cans, preferably cylindrical in shape but also square, rectangular or oval. The machine includes a conveyor belt that conveys cans to the machine, a loading carousel, a main carousel, where the blank capsules or can covers are sealed onto the cans, an unloading carousel, and an outfeed conveyor belt. The blank capsules are contained in vertical capsule magazines. A series of suction cups removes the blank capsules from the magazines and passes them to another series of suction cups located inside sealing heads of the main carousel. In the main carousel, the cans are raised by the elevating units and come into contact first with the blank capsules and then with the corresponding sealing head.

Abstract: A capping mechanism comprising an active feeder (20) device in which caps (1, 10) are fed actively forward arranged top-to-bottom along a feeding axis (30), and a hollow rotatable and linearly movable chuck device (40) arranged at the feeder's outlet end (22) and devised to grip a cap and mount said cap to a container opening. The feeder device preferably comprises movable members working in pairs (23, 24 and 25, 26 resp.) alternating to influence a row or pile of caps.

Abstract: In a device for singling out items coming from a feeder, with the feeder comprising an outlet channel for conveying the items an end section, compacting air jets are placed along the outlet channel for gathering the items one behind the other according to a continuous row, at the end section. The device is equipped with and abutment and catching comb for singling out a series of single and successive leading items of the row of items at the end section, and a driving belt moves the abutment and catching comb according to a direction of extraction at the end section, for abutting and catching a series of single and successive leading items and for transferring and placing the series of singled out items at a handling station.

Abstract: A feed unit for a container closure device, with a feed device for container closures and a transfer device which transfers the closures from the feed device to a workstation at which containers are closed. The feed device has a rail that terminates at a stationary check shoulder which protrudes into the feed path of the closures along the feed device rail to position each closure to be picked up by the transfer device moving on a path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributor that enables covers to be fitted automatically on containers in a chamber without requiring assistance from an operator. It mainly comprises a slider (5) mounted to slide between two plates (3 and 4). The queued covers (2D) are positioned on a lowering and introducing system (11) equipped with three double-fingers (20) that enable the last bottom cover to be selected in each cycle in order for it to drop onto the slider (5). A carrier cell (7) in said slider is used to displace the selected cover towards a positioning cell (9) of the lower plate (4) and drop it onto a container that has been previously introduced by said cell.

Abstract: A self-feeding manual cap crimper, indexing mechanism and replaceable cap cartridge provide benefits related to quickly sealing crimp top vials or bottles. A conventional manually operated cap crimping mechanism may be utilized in conjunction with a cap indexing mechanism and a replaceable cap cartridge constructed in accordance with the invention. The replaceable cap supply cartridge includes a main body having a cap containment portion which serially feeds caps to the cap indexing mechanism. The cap indexing mechanism and the replaceable cartridge may each be releasably connected to the cap crimping mechanism. A first actuation of the cap crimping mechanism feeds a cap proximate to multiple jaws associated with the crimping mechanism. A second actuation moves the jaws and crimp the cap onto the vial or bottle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for capping in succession containers transported on a conveyance device. The apparatus comprises a cap dispensing station for applying caps on the containers. The cap dispensing station includes a cap release passage, a gating unit and a movable cap ejector. The gating unit includes a barrier, capable to acquire either one of first and second operative positions, and a barrier drive mechanism. In the first operative position, the barrier at least partially closes the cap release passage for preventing a cap from freely travelling through the passage under the effect of gravity. In the second operative position, the barrier uncovers the cap release passage for allowing a cap to pass through the passage. The cap ejector engages the barrier drive mechanism such that the barrier drive mechanism causes the barrier to acquire the second operative position.

Abstract: A hand-held device for installing caps on vials having a housing with an outer housing member and an inner housing member. The housing is sized to enable the device to be held in a hand of a user and placed over a vial to be capped. A shuttle member is rotationally disposed within the inner housing for transporting one of a plurality of caps stored in the housing from a cap storage station to a cap installation station within the housing when said device is operated. At approximately the same time, a plunger extending from an inner surface of the outer housing is installs the cap transported to the cap installation station onto a vial. Also described is a cap to be used in the hand-held device. The cap has a substantially flat endwall defining a peripheral edge surface and a sidewall extending therefrom. The peripheral edge surface defines a radius which is substantially less than 0.040 inches.

Abstract: A device for an injection apparatus, including a dual-chamber injection cartridge. The cartridge includes a front end, a rear end, a front opening in the vicinity of a front end of the cartridge, a front chamber located in the vicinity of the front opening and including a drug freeze-dried in the front chamber, a rear chamber including a liquid component, a movable wall separating the front chamber and the rear chamber, a bypass for transferring the liquid component between the front chamber and the rear chamber, and a rear piston. The cartridge is slidably arranged within a cylindrical sleeve substantially the same length as the cartridge. A stopper is located in the vicinity of the front opening of the cartridge. The stopper is directed rearwardly coaxially with the cartridge, wherein as the sleeve is displaced rearwardly after the freeze-drying of the drug, the stopper enters the front opening of the cartridge to sealingly close the cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automatic on-demand conveying of stacks of nested lids to a lid placer employing two powered sections for first elevating the stacks of nested lids placed on a platform assembly then, shuttling the elevated nested stack interior of a guide assembly from a first position to a second position, the guide assembly then acts as an extension of the magazine of the lid placer until a predetermined quantity of lids have been separated and placed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting one or more endcaps into the ends of a cigarette box using a slide to hold and guide the cigarette box through the apparatus along a predetermined path. Along the path, the box is aligned and endcaps are pushed along a guide rail to guide the endcaps into the ends of the cigarette box. A uniform box with a desired cross-sectional shape is produced.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring lids into a machine for the sterile conditioning of containers, the device comprising two elongated parallel nipper-holding members extending with one end into a sterile container-conditioning enclosure, one of these two members being reciprocally movable with respect to the other nipper-holding member which remains stationary being held against translatory motion. The device is adapted to transferring, depositing and provisionally securing lids onto containers or cups filled with any product or foodstuff.

Abstract: A pair of relatively movable jaws (306) are provided with magnetic holders (306-316) for holding end caps (24) to be applied to a substantially cylindrical shell (28) positioned between the jaws; so that, closing of the jaws installs the end caps on the end edges of the shell. An end cap placing mechanism (50) removes end caps from a source (356) by means of a pair of rotatably mounted gripper arms (364) which place the caps in the magnetic holders.

Abstract: An automatic lid dispensing and applicator arrangement for an automated drinkmaker machine. The lidding arrangement automatically separates lids from a stack of lids and applies the separated lids onto cups. A large supply of lids is maintained in a rotatable lid supply carousel. A lid shuttle is positioned adjacent the bottom of a lid dispenser, and is supported for linear translating and reciprocating movement between retracted and extended positions. The lid shuttle supports a lid engaging member designed to engage a first bottommost lid of the stack of lids and to retain the first bottommost lid in a first intermediate position in the lid shuttle while the lid shuttle is moved in translation to its extended position. The lid shuttle is then moved in translation to its retracted position, during which the first lid is moved within the lid shuttle to a second loaded position therein beneath a lid applicator supported by the lid shuttle.

Abstract: This specification discloses a capping device having a cap for capping orifices for discharging liquid, and a moving structure for moving the cap, wherein a plurality of engaging members each have an engaging portion adapted to be engaged with a protrusion during the capping, and a releasing structure for moving at least one of the engaging members and releasing the capping. The specification also discloses a liquid injection recording apparatus provided with such capping device and a pump device for generating a pressure utilized to such the liquid from the orifices through the cap, a protrusion being provided in operative association with the movement of a member for effecting the pumping operation of the pump device.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container (12) having a receiving passage (14) with material and sealing the receiving passage (14) with a spherical sealing plug which is larger than the receiving passage (14) of the container (12) with the container (12) being subjected to a vacuum before and while being filled. A snout assembly (54) is movably mounted on a support structure (20, 22, 24) and includes a large piston-like portion (59) in sliding engagement within a guideway (28) in a housing (26) with a smaller tubular snout member (62) extending downwardly and into a fill passage (30) which is in sealing engagement with the receiving passage (14) of the container (12). The larger piston-like portion (59) of the snout assembly (54) has a material-receiving chamber (63) and a tubular valve member (68) engages a valve seat (66) to control the flow of material from the material chamber (63) to the delivery passage (56) and out the discharge end (58) of the smaller tubular snout member (62).

Abstract: In a beverage vendor, a cup capping mechanism in which a cap is removed from a remote location to a stationary cup station, placed on the cup and then pressed down onto the rim of the cup by a sliding motion over the upper surface of the cup beginning at one side and progressing to the other. A locking mechanism is provided which prevents opening of the cup station delivery door during the capping operation.

Abstract: An assembly for filling and sealing a cavity (14) in a container (10). The assembly includes a fill passage (18) in sealing engagement with the periphery of the receiving passage (12) in the container (10). A vacuum source (24) withdraws gas from the container (10) and the assembly. Powdered material under a vacuum is supplied to a vibrating platform (44) which dispenses the material while vibrating so that the material passes through a valve (48, 52), the fill passage (18) and into the container (10). A plug magazine (26, 125) stores and delivers one spherical ball (28) at a time to the fill passage (18) for being forced into the receiving passage (12) to seal the container (10). A vacuum valve (48, 52) seals the material supply from the fill passageway (18) to maintain the vacuum in the material supply when the container (10) is received.

Abstract: A device for automatically filling and capping containers comprising a filler nozzle positioned above an elevator mechanism, a bag station spaced from and on one side of the filler nozzle and a cap station spaced from and on the opposite side of the filler nozzle, and a movable carriage having a cap chuck on one end and a bag chuck on the other and being mounted for controlled movement between the filler nozzle and the bag station and the filler nozzle and the cap station whereby when the carriage is moved to the bag station, a filled bag is capped at the cap chuck location and a new bag is simultaneously obtained by the bag chuck, when the carriage is moved to the cap station, the capped, filled bag is ejected, the newly obtained bag is received by the elevator mechanism and a new cap is substantially simultaneously obtained from the cap station and when the carriage is moved to an intermediate position, the elevator mechanism raises the new bag to be filled to the filler nozzle and lowers the filled bag to

Abstract: An arrangement for closing containers with crown corks and the like, has a piston, a guiding opening in which the piston reciprocates, and a passage for supplying a cleaning liquid, which passage is open into an annular gap formed between the piston and the wall bounding the guiding opening. The passage may include a radial passage portion arranged to communicate with a liquid supplying conduit, and a distributing passage portion communicating with the radial passage portion.

Abstract: An automatic machine for packing products of parallelepiped shape including a magazine for the boxes and a magazine for the lids. A line is provided for infeeding parallelepiped shaped products. A pusher is positioned to transfer the products from the infeed line exit to the central area of a box. A presser which acts on the product is arranged to push downwards the box and products a distance corresponding to the height of the products. Support locators which, with the step-by-step downward motion brought about by the presser, are fixed and cause the front and rear sections of the box to be folded upwards. A line is provided for moving forward the boxes, after their flaps are closed by the mounted fixed locators. A number of opposed rollers are arranged at the sides at the infeed line exit, for pressing the lateral sections against the flaps in order to permit them to be glued.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying covers to containers as they are advanced by a conveyor in spaced succession past a cover applying station, the cover applying apparatus including a cover magazine that supports the bottom cover in the magazine in an inclined plane that converges toward and intersects the path of travel of the tops of the containers, with a shuttle driven in timed relation with the conveyor to move the bottom cover along the inclined plane across the magazine and onto the containers as they are advanced, the drive for the cover shuttle being so constructed and arranged that the forward velocity and displacement of the cover is approximately equal to the forward velocity and displacement of the container while the lead edges of the cover and container move past the point at which their paths intersect.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a capping machine for applying caps to containers, such as jars. The capping machine is provided with a simple automatic cap feed wherein the caps are gravity fed through an orienting chute which directs the caps towards a cap locating station with which there is aligned a capping chuck. The caps are primarily advanced by gravity and as they approach the cap locating station, fluid jets, preferably steam, are directed against the caps to advance them to their positions in alignment with the capping chuck. Means are also provided for directing jets of steam into the top of a container to which a cap is to be applied to displace air between the container neck and the cap and thus create a partial vacuum within the sealed container.