Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing and retrieving products is provided. A system may include: a grasping head; first and second grasping members, each grasping member comprising: a top member; a post member; and first and second grasping fingers, where the first and second grasping fingers extend from the post member and are spaced apart from the top member by a predetermined distance, where the first and second grasping members are connected to the grasping head, where at least one of the first and second grasping members is movably connected to the grasping head, where the at least one of the first and second grasping members is movable relative to the other of the first and second grasping members.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing lids has at least one magazine lane including an entrance end, an exit end, and a longitudinal length defined therebetween. The at least one magazine lane further includes a plurality of side guides along the longitudinal length for guiding the lids therebetween and a pair of rollers for carrying the lids thereon. The apparatus further has a throat plate at or near the exit end, the throat plate including an opening. At least one of the throat plate, the side guides, or the rollers is adaptable so as to accommodate different sizes and/or shapes of lids.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a welding tip of a welder and an apparatus for replacing the same include a fixed bracket secured to a support. The apparatus includes an actuator coupled to the fixed bracket and a first moving member moved by the actuator. A second moving member is coupled to the first moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A third moving member is hingedly coupled to the second moving member. A first welding tip removal member is coupled to the third moving member to separate a welding to tip coupled to a shank. A fourth moving member is disposed opposite to the first moving member. A fifth moving member is coupled to the fourth moving member and hingedly coupled to the fixed bracket. A sixth moving member is coupled to the fifth moving member. A second welding tip removal member is coupled to the sixth moving member.

Abstract: An example retention assembly has a motor assembly and a self-locking worm drive coupled thereto. A cam is fixed to a worm gear of the worm drive. The retention assembly has an actuation shaft including a follower. The actuation shaft is displaceable over a displacement range via rotation of the cam. The retention assembly has a securement member with a securement member follower, the securement member coupled to a portion of the actuator shaft. The retention assembly has a housing cam included as part of the retention assembly housing and against which the securement member follower is biased. The securement member are in an open state when the actuation shaft is in a first position. The securement member swings outward to a retaining position as the actuation shaft is moved to a second position.

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.

Abstract: A container and spout assembly apparatus for assembling a plurality of flexible containers with corresponding spouts. The container and spout assembly apparatus comprises a plurality of assembly stations, a container introduction station, a spout introduction station and a container removal station. Each of the plurality of assembly stations is substantially rotatably positioned about a general axis of rotation. In addition, each of the plurality of assembly stations includes a container manipulating assembly, a spout grasping and positioning member and a joining assembly. The container manipulating member is capable of retaining and manipulating a flexible container. The spout grasping and positioning member is capable of relatively positioning a spout in a desired position relative to a flexible container upon at least one of manipulation and retention thereof by the container manipulating assembly.

Abstract: A spout sealing method and apparatus using a spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus, a primary sealing apparatus, a secondary sealing apparatus and a cold-sealing apparatus that are installed in a row; and transfer apparatuses being installed between these sealing apparatuses. Each apparatus has a continuously rotating rotor. A plurality of spout holding members which hold and convey spouts are disposed at equal intervals on the circumferences of the rotors, and spouts are continuously transferred between the spout holding members of adjacent rotors. In the spout insertion and temporary-sealing apparatus, bags and spouts are supplied from different sources; and the bags are fitted over the spouts held by the spout holding members, and the bags and spouts are temporarily sealed by a temporary-sealing apparatus. Then, main sealing is performed by the primary sealing apparatus and secondary sealing apparatus, and the main sealing area is cooled by the cold-sealing apparatus.

Abstract: A capping device and method for installing overcaps onto a plurality of aerosol cans moving on a manufacturing line is disclosed. The capping device has a pressure plate with a cap contact surface on one side and a bearing surface on an opposite side. The contact surface is oriented to face overcaps that are rested on a plurality of aerosol cans moving past the pressure plate on the manufacturing line. The contact surface is rotated about an axis so that an installation segment of the contact surface moves in concert with the plurality of aerosol cans. A pressure wheel has a rotatable circumferential surface arranged to bear against a part of the pressure plate to further bear the installation segment into contact with the overcaps of the plurality of aerosol cans. As the cans move past the pressure wheel and plate, the overcaps are installed on the aerosol cans by force applied via the installation segment of the contact surface that is moving along with the cans.

Abstract: With a use of a transfer rotor that has gripping claws on its circumference, spouts are received by the gripping claws and conveyed and transferred to spout holding members of a continuously rotating rotor. The transfer rotor rotates intermittently 60° in a cycle consisting of stopping, acceleration, constant speed, deceleration and stopping. When the transfer rotor is stopped, spouts are received by gripping claws. During the constant rotation, the gripping claws are matched with the speed of the spout holding members, and the gripping claws and the spout holding members run side by side. During this side-by-side running, the spouts are transferred from the gripping claws to the spout holding members. At a transfer position, the gripping claws open, and the spouts move along a guide member as the spout holding members rotate, so that the spouts are pushed into the interiors of holding grooves of the spout holding members.

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: This relates to a guide for guiding a closure cap onto a container neck finish in a machine for automatically applying closure caps to containers. Most particularly this relates to a guide assembly for closure caps which include a metal shell and a plastic overcap including a tamper indicating band which depends below the metal shell and wherein the closure cap cannot be supported by way of flanges or rails of a track in the normal manner in that the supporting part of the closure cap is subject to deformation and not true and round as in the case of metal closure caps. A lower portion of the conventional track has been replaced by a magnetic cap guide unit which forms an extension of the conventional track and which maintains the position of a closure cap after it has been initially engaged by the neck finish of a container so as to maintain the relationship of the closure cap relative to the container which permits the closure cap being seated square on to the neck finish for final automatic application.

Abstract: An automated lid mounting and sealing apparatus for containers comprised of a conveyor belt, a lid dispenser to feed lids one at a time as a container passes by on the conveyor belt; a lid mounting press belt, a lid closure section for closing a tear band on the lid and a lid sealing section for sealing a tamper resistant device around the lid. The lid dispenser drops a lid into a chute to be withdrawn as each container passes the dispenser. The container with the lid then passes beneath a press belt that snaps the lid in place on the container. A tear strip band on the lid is then folded under the lid and rim by a closure section. In an optional embodiment the closure section is not used and a plastic shrink band seal is placed on top of the container around the lid. Heat is then applied in a sealing section as the container is rotated to secure the tamper resistant protective device around the lid and container.

Abstract: The present invention entails a method and apparatus for applying tamper evident bands to a container. In particular, the apparatus of the present invention directs a supply strip of banding material to a cutter which cuts the supply strip into a series of cut bands. From the cutter, the respective cut bands are, one at a time, transferred to a suction source and held. A form is passed adjacent the suction source and strips the cut band from the suction source. While the cut band is held within the form, a container is passed thereunder, and because of the spacing of the form and the position of the container, the container top or lid engages a portion of the cut band held within the form and strips the cut band from the form. Thereafter, the container and cut form are passed underneath a vibrating plate, causing the plate to engage the cut band and to properly position the same about the container for subsequent heat treatment.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the feeding and placing of a preformed cover(44) on a linearly advancing preformed container(130), said improved apparatus being automatically operated in response to an "on-demand" condition, said improved apparatus including a frame assembly(12), an inclined hopper assembly(14), a cover separating assembly(16), a transfer chute assembly (18) an infeed conveyor assembly(20), and a cover seating assembly(22). This improved apparatus may also provide selective orientation of a pour spout or bung located in a circular cover.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for separating a preformed cover from an inclined nested stack of covers, advancing and simultaneously rotating said cover from a substantially vertical disposition to a substantially horizontal disposition by means of a transfer chute, said cover advancing to a placing position, by means of gravity, on an inclined chute. Said cover being placed on a matching container, said container advancing on a process conveyor. Said apparatus adapted for feeding and placing a range of covers of like design without the need for intermediate adjustments.

Abstract: This invention, as herein illustrated, is for delivering caps in succession, one at a time, to a distributor for application to the tops of containers. There is an end wall at the bottom of a chute against which the bottom cap in the pick-off position abuts. The force against the bottom cap is reduced by providing a bent portion near the lower end of the chute.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a cover on a box is provided wherein the box cover is first lowered inclined and placed on the opening of a moving box such that its edge leading in the direction of motion grips across the edge of the opening of the box leading in the direction of motion, and its edge trailing in the direction of motion, which edge is inclined upwardly, remains supported. The box is moved or advanced in the direction of motion so that the box pulls the cover from the support supporting the trailing edge of the cover and the latter places itself on the opening of the box. Pressure is then applied to the cover from above in order to completely force the cover over the edges of the opening of the box.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying caps on containers in which a primary cap-applicator applies the majority of caps and a secondary cap-applicator applies caps to the containers which have passed the primary cap-applicator without having been provided with a cap. A sensing means is arranged downstream of the primary cap-applicator to detect containers without caps and activate the secondary cap-applicator. This sensing means includes a photocell to detect a container and an inductive transducer to detect the cap on the container.

Abstract: A plastic container lid which has a small ridge protruding from the outer periphery of the lid, at the top corner of the lid. The ridge provides a uniform taper in the outside diameter of the lid, enabling containers to be capped at high speeds by a method that utilizes a spinning rod feed mechanism. The ridged lid is formed by a novel method, utilizing a one-piece mold cavity, fitted with a one piece mold insert. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the one-piece mold cavity.

Abstract: A packaging machine wherein product-loaded cup-shaped receptacles are advanced with an indexing movement through a series of packaging stations. One station includes a fixed vacuum/gas chamber extending entirely over one set of receptacles. The receptacles are first evacuated through this fixed chamber, and thereafter gas is directed into the chamber to fill the receptacles. A fine wire-mesh screen is positioned between the chamber and the receptacles to constrain the air and gas flow to a vertical direction, to prevent disarrangement of the product during evacuation and gassing. A gas-curtain structure develops an enclosed region of gas above the receptacles during their movement out from under the fixed chamber over to the final sealing station. The sealing operation takes place in two successive steps within the sealing station.

Abstract: A conveyor system for flanged containers includes downwardly inclined, laterally-spaced rails for supporting the flanges of the containers as the containers move by gravity toward a take-away conveyor. Control means are provided for permitting each container to move by gravity on the rails into engagement with a leading edge of an adjacent aperture in the take-away conveyor with flanges of each container still supported by a lower section of the spaced rails. Preferably the lower section is movable, and an actuating system is provided for moving it to positively direct a lower trailing end of each container into its adjacent aperture.

Abstract: A fill and seal machine designed to charge liquid products into open-topped containers of predetermined configurations and dimensions and to apply closure members to such containers after the charging operation. An incrementally rotatable carrier disc disposed in communicating relation to a plurality of work stations has a plurality of circumferentially spaced dished portions that communicate with the periphery of the carrier disc, said dished portions successively receiving and transiently retaining individual ones of the containers. A lid delivery assembly for supplying the closure members to conventionally filled containers also provides the lid-sealing function. The novel capping operation is performed by the lid delivery assembly that is angularly disposed at a critical angle relative to the vertical. The filled and sealed containers are removed from the container carrying disc by a passive sweeping arm disposed in path-interruptive relation to such containers.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for applying leverlids to filled paint cans so that a later machine may fit the lids onto the cans by downward pressure. The apparatus has an inclined chute onto which the lids are fed and which is arranged to discharge the lids accurately onto paint cans moving on a horizontal conveyor beneath the apparatus. To control the movement of the lids onto the cans two release members rotatable about generally vertical axes are mounted on either side of the chute outlet so as to obstruct the outlet until such time as a paint can on the conveyor frees the release members for movement and thereafter pushes the release members aside.

Abstract: An improved chute is disclosed for feeding articles such as closure caps from a supply device with a positive cap operated stop or feed control action. A cap stop is positioned on the feed end of the chute which includes a latching means for positively holding the next to the last cap in a fixed position in the chute while the end cap is held in position by a spring mounted detent. A latch releasing trigger is mounted at the chute end in position to be activated as the end cap is removed from the chute by a moving container. This momentarily opens the cap latch permitting the second cap in line to move to the pick-up position under the trigger which resets the stop latches.

Abstract: Generally circular articles within a row of similar articles are conveyed and dispensed from the end of the row. When the row of articles is substantially depleted a magazine containing another row of the articles is advanced to bring the additional row of articles in contact with the conveying shaft. A method and apparatus are provided for automatically actuating and advancing the magazine and for returning it to its original position when all articles contained therein have been delivered to the conveyor.