Screw Or Lug Closure Applying Means Patents (Class 53/317)
  • Publication number: 20120085068
    Abstract: A machine for application of caps on containers such as bottles and the like having a neck with a threaded top end, comprising at least one head for application of caps and at least one gripper designed to grip the neck of the containers during application of the caps. Said at least one gripper is mobile in a vertical direction between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein elastic means are present for pushing the gripper elastically towards the raised position and wherein in the lowered position the gripper rests on a resting plate so that at least part of the axial force applied by said head on the cap is discharged on said resting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventor: Sergio Cirio
  • Publication number: 20120017546
    Abstract: A bottle support plate for use in a rotary capping machine to apply caps onto the upper threaded neck of one or more containers having a circular flange as the containers are moved along a generally circular path by a star wheel. The bottle support plate includes a pocket that at least partially supports and at least partially mates with the flange of the container to at least partially inhibit rotation of the container during the threading of a cap on an upper threaded neck of the container. The pocket includes a support ledge having an upper surface, a neck cavity, a ledge wall extending upwardly from the upper surface of said support ledge and a non-smooth surface on upper surface of the support ledge. The ledge wall is designed to be at least partially mateable with at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the flange of the container. The neck cavity is designed to receive a portion of a neck of the container that is located below the container flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: MICHAEL H. PERONEK
  • Publication number: 20120011809
    Abstract: A head for applying threaded caps to containers, comprising, a top body, having a longitudinal axis, an intermediate support, rotationally fixed with respect to the top body and axially mobile with respect to the top body in the direction of said longitudinal axis, elastic compression means, set between said top body and said intermediate support, a tubular bushing, fixed with respect to the intermediate support, a shaft, extending within said tubular bushing so that it shares said longitudinal axis, the shaft carrying at a bottom end thereof an attachment for a member for gripping the caps, a magnetic clutch, set between the tubular bushing and the shaft, wherein the magnetic clutch comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, said magnets being set within said tubular bushing and having respective surfaces facing, and set at a distance from, one another, wherein the first magnet is fixed with respect to the shaft and the second magnet is rotationally fixed with respect to the tubular bushing and can be adj
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Sergio Cirio
  • Patent number: 8096099
    Abstract: A torque head assembly and method of capping effective to cap a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps to a spray bottle or container includes a drive roller mounted on a drive gear. The drive gear is in meshed gear communication with a plurality of train gears enclosed within a generally C-shaped driver housing wherein the a distal train gear engages a driven gear upon which a driven roller is mounted. An actuator allows the driver housing of torque head assembly to approach a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps within a plane generally horizontal thereto and at least partially co-planar therewith so as to capture the same between the dive roller and the driven roller and to thread mount the same onto the spray bottle or container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Diamond Machine Werks, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter R. Krevald
  • Patent number: 8065858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Wayne Rice
  • Publication number: 20110265430
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a main stage and three clamps. Each of the clamps is pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center. Each of the clamps comprises a generally planar body and an arcuate edge and can be used to both center a cap and grip and rotate a vial for attachment of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy Ulm, John Richard Sink, Eric X. Bonpain, Mark Alan Uebel
  • Patent number: 8046974
    Abstract: A closure system for a container reduces the needed torque for assembly by minimizing frictional resistance to rotation of the closure into its desired alignment with the container before the closure is driven home onto the container neck. The reduction in the torque resistance during the application of the closure allows the rotary filling machinery to work within its torque limits and minimizes damage to the parts during the filling and sealing operation in a bottle filling line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Guest Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: William N. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110258965
    Abstract: Device for separation and position alignment of metallic container closures (21), as well as for conveying the separated and position-aligned container closures (21), preferably crown corks, to a further processing machine, preferably sealing machine. It is provided that a conveying unit (2) comprises a run (2b) of an endless conveyor belt or link belt or plate belt, which conveys the container closures (21), which run is guided along a permanently magnetic or electromagnetic conveyor track configured as a magnetic bar, lying on this track at least in sections, or at a slight distance from it, and conveys the container closures (21) out of the transfer station (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Gassner GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gassner
  • Publication number: 20110239590
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for processing container closures (2) comprises a sterilization unit (3), having a sterilization module (7) with means for spraying on the closures (2) a hot sterilization fluid, a capping unit (4), having screwing means active on the closures (2) for connecting them on correspondent containers, applying a predetermined torque, a guide member (5) configured in such a way to allow a plurality of closures (2) to be arranged therein and connected to the sterilization unit (3) and to the capping unit (4) to guide the closures (2) from the sterilization unit (3) to the capping unit (4), and means (13) for regulating the temperature of the closures (2) arranged in the guide member (5), to provide that the closures (2) have a predetermined desired temperature in the capping unit (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SIDEL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Silvestri
  • Patent number: 7992365
    Abstract: A method of verifying the seating and securing of a closure on a container includes the steps of: (a) positioning a container on a stage of an automated capping station; (b) bringing a closure into contact with the container; (c) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the container and the closure; (d) responsive to step (c), relatively moving the closure and the container if step (c) indicates seating of the closure on the container is proper; and (e) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the closure and the container to determine whether the closure is properly secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Jasper Pollard, John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, Tobias Heineck
  • Patent number: 7987652
    Abstract: A capping head comprising a support adapted to be associated with means arranged within a capper comprising at least two identical working units, which are associated with the support and are motorized in the same direction, each working unit comprising a shaft provided with motor drive means, which is connected, with the interposition of a torque-limited coupling, to a transverse arm adapted to support a rotating roller, both rollers are designed to come into contact with a cap to be screwed onto a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Weightpack S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Corniani
  • Patent number: 7980380
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having bottle plate support tables therein. 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: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Thielmann
  • Publication number: 20110167761
    Abstract: A low inertia capping clutch has an outer driving portion and an inner driven portion coupled together by a magnetic interaction. Cavities within the driven inner portion of the clutch reduce the mass and therefore reduce residual rotational inertia. This residual rotational inertia is further reduced by forming the driven inner portion of the clutch out of lightweight material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: VIJAY K. JHA, MARK MILAZZO
  • Publication number: 20110131924
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment includes an apparatus for distributing a horizontal force through angular communication with a neck ring of a bottle having at least one surface. One preferred embodiment includes a stationary member shaped to accommodate the bottle and securing mechanism extending from the stationary member ring having one or more projections and a member to convey a neck ring towards a bottle. A horizontal force transmits the bottle about the stationary member and upon contact with the one or more projections is distributed into vertical and horizontal components causing the one or more projections to penetrate the neck ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Wendell Martin
  • Patent number: 7926244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, in a filling machine, of producing a package with a top of plastic which is injection molded in the machine and is capped before the top has become configurationally stable. In the method, the capping, at least during a first introductory phase, takes place in that a cap with internal threads is rotated and the package is displaced linearly in a direction towards the cap in such a manner that it may be ensured that the relationship between the speed of rotation of the cap and the speed of displacement of the package substantially correspond to the thread pitch of the threads in the cap and in corresponding threads on the neck when the threads enter into mesh with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Anders Delén, Thorbjörn Bengtsson
  • Publication number: 20110083405
    Abstract: A method and a device for screw capping vessels, in particular bottles, by measuring the power consumption of a linear drive system for lifting and lowering the closing head in a pick phase for picking up the respective closing cap and/or in a screw phase for screwing on the closing cap being, and by comparing that measured power consumption with at least one characteristic value of the power consumption to detect an imminent or occurred incorrect closure. In this manner, vessels can be closed at a low error rate and possibly incorrectly closed vessels can be discharged from a continuous product stream at a low error rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: ANDREAS DEWERT, KLAUS BUCHHAUSER, GÜNTER FRANKENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20110036839
    Abstract: A plastic screw cap has a threaded top portion and tabs of varying heights disposed around an inner circumference of a lower sleeve-portion. These tabs clasp a land disposed on a container neck to restrain the sleeve portion on the neck when the cap is unscrewed. A threaded top portion mates with threads on the container above the land. A sealing liner and diffusion barrier disposed at the bottle opening, together with a crush-resistant cap structure, prevent wine leakage and control oxygen ingress. Typically, the plastic cap is threaded onto the container neck, forming a tamper-evident seal. When unscrewed, the plastic-cap top moves up the container threads, exerting a pull on the sleeve portion, which is restrained due to the closure tabs acting on the land. Between the closure tabs and the threaded top is a breakaway line, which tears due to the removal forces. This tear evidences tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: William A. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7882682
    Abstract: A capping chuck including alignment balls for engaging the cap knurling. The capping chuck can also include internal knurling, and a friction engaging element for cap retention during the bottling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Wendell Martin
  • Patent number: 7882681
    Abstract: Rotary screwtop container capping arrangement designed to screw screw caps onto screwtop containers having neck rings which support the containers during capping. The capping arrangement has a cam arrangement having a guide roller located in a control groove having top and bottom guide surfaces. A lifting element or rod is connected to the cam arrangement and is moved up and down in a controlled manner to control the lifting and lowering of a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Herbert Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20110016828
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing a plastic container by applying a label to a cap, threading the cap on a bottle, and closing dispensing doors on the cap before a heat shrink label sleeve is applied. The label is applied to the cap in a predetermined orientation with respect to the cap and the cap is threaded onto the bottle by a threader wheel adjacent a starwheel that carries caps and bottles in alignment. The dispenser door is closed by a peg that is urged downwardly into contact with the dispenser door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Richard A. Parker, George E. Ervin, William J. Connelly, Daniel R. Perkins, Oscar O. Medina, Kerry T. McColly
  • Patent number: 7874127
    Abstract: A device is provided for interconnecting a support and a connector through a quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism is normally biased in the locked position and is configured to automatically move from the unlocked position back to the locked position when the connector mates with the support as a user re-connects the unit back to the support. Methods of releasing and re-connecting the unit to the support are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Adcor Industries
    Inventor: Michael J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7866237
    Abstract: The invention deals with the field of screwing heads for small trigger-type pumps or triggers and namely for applying, on vessels, triggers equipped with a threaded securing ring nut (2). This screwing head (1) is rotated around a vertical axis through a permanent magnet-type clutch and comprises four rollers (5) which tighten the toothed ring nut (2) when screwing it; said rollers (5) are supported by vertical arms (4) whose axes are arranged at 90° one from the other on a circumference with its center on the rotation axis of the screwing head. The vertical arms (4) and the four rollers (5) are simultaneously carried along a radial direction towards said ring nut through an oscillating movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rejves S.r.l.
    Inventor: Renzo Vesentini
  • Publication number: 20100307109
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically closing test tubes containing biological material mounted to an automatic test tube conveyor is described, comprising a cap recruiting device (11) adapted to feed a curved channelizer (12) adapted to tip a cap (5) from a configuration with the opening upwards at the inlet of the channelizer (12) to a configuration with the opening downwards at the outlet of the channelizer (12) at a loading surface (13). A horizontal pusher (22) moves the cap (5) from said loading surface (13) to a housing (23) in a channel (14) in which a stem (24) vertically slides and is adapted to move the cap (5) upwards in a test tube closing device (9) comprising a movable head (26) adapted to grip the cap (5) pushed by the stem (24) and to close the open test tube blocked at a working point of the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: INPECO IP Ltd.
    Inventor: Gianandrea Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 7845148
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements may include one or more of the following steps: (a) transporting a container along a conveyor, (b) securing the container, (c) aligning a spray cap mechanism over a container opening with a transfer rake assembly, (d) grasping a diptube with a diptube assembly, (e) lowering the diptube assembly and the transfer rake assembly to insert the diptube into the container, (f) securing the container with a timing screw, (g) loading the spray cap mechanism into a sprayer magazine, (h) locking a retractable stop onto the spray cap mechanism, (i) transferring the spray cap mechanism from the sprayer magazine to the transfer rake, (j) locking a second spray cap mechanism with the retractable stop, and (k) retracting the diptube assembly after inserting the diptube into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: PSR Automation Incorporated
    Inventors: David R. Ramnarain, Brian D. Ramnarain, Christopher D. Ramnarain
  • Patent number: 7836664
    Abstract: Screw caps (2) are fitted to the necks of respective containers (3) by a unit comprising a carousel equipped with a platform on which the containers are placed, a frame positioned above the platform, and a drive system by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a main vertical axis. The unit comprises at least one screw capping device (7) associated with the rotating frame of the carousel, located above a respective container (3) and equipped with a gripping mechanism (9) lockable onto the cap (2) of the container, also a first motion-inducing linkage (25) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is caused to rotate about an axis (Y) parallel to the main vertical axis, and a second motion-inducing linkage (37) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is moved toward or away from the respective cap (2). The screw capping device (7) is packaged internally of a box-like body (10) associated removably with the rotating frame and housing the gripping mechanism (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro Zanini, Marco Baroni
  • Patent number: 7836669
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying threaded lids to threaded necks of containers, wherein a lid orienting device is disposed in the transport path of the lid for engaging a leading side surface of a projection on the lid to cause the lid, as it moves past the lid orienting device, to rotate to a prescribed angular position relative to the transport path. The thread or threads of the lid then will be positioned in a known orientation when engaged by the lid applying head at the lid transfer station so that the lid applying head can orient the lid in a known positional relationship to the thread or threads of the threaded neck of the container to protect against cross-threading of the lid when screwed onto the threaded neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Sherwin Williams Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Cassil, Paul D. Flint, Curtis S. Shay, James A. Rehak, Marcel Kubascik
  • Publication number: 20100281826
    Abstract: A bottle support with clutch includes a tray (1), a small gear (2), a shell (3) and a rotary table (5). The shaft sleeve of the small gear (2) is connected with the shell (3) through a bearing (7). The shell (3) is connected with the rotary table (5). The shaft sleeve of the tray (1) is sleeved in the shaft sleeve of the small gear (2), and a clutch (8) is provided between the shaft sleeve of the tray (1) and the shaft sleeve of the small gear (2). The bottle support of the invention has a simple structure, and works in a reliable manner. The revolution and rotation of the tray (1) are completely consistent with that of the capping head during working, thus improving cover rolling quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: CHANGSHA CHUTIAN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinhua Li, Niansheng Yang, Zhen Liu, Jianyong Liu, Zhimin Duan, Yue Tang
  • Publication number: 20100281825
    Abstract: A capping head (11) comprising a support (12) adapted to be associated with means arranged within a capper comprising at least two identical working units (13, 14), which are associated with the support (12) and are motorized in the same direction, each working unit (13, 14) comprising a shaft (17) provided with motor drive means, which is connected, with the interposition of a torque-limited coupling, to a transverse arm (21, 28) adapted to support a rotating roller (24, 29), both rollers (24, 29) are designed to come into contact with a cap (15) to be screwed onto a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Carlo Corniani
  • Publication number: 20100251667
    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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Takafumi Imai, Minoru Tano, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Patent number: 7784245
    Abstract: The container capping device includes a capping head carried by a hollow support member in the shape of a bracket, vertically movable and including a vertical part going through a cover, with the rotation driving mechanism of the capping head and the control mechanism of the jaws of the capping head being enclosed in the part of the support member which extends above the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Serac Group
    Inventor: Guy Dumargue
  • Publication number: 20100205905
    Abstract: A device for closing containers, particularly bottles, with screw caps, having at least one rotatably drivable closing head in which a closure-specific closing element is exchangeably retained, a positive-fit quick-change mechanism for the respective closing element is embodied in the closing head, and in the release state of the quick-change mechanism the closing element can be laterally removed or inserted essentially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the closing head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Stefan Schmatz
  • Patent number: 7770358
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the securing of a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a base and a plurality of blades, each of the blades including a sharp edge and being mounted to the base such that the sharp edge is exposed. The blades are mounted in a generally circular arrangement, with the sharp edges generally radiating from a central portion of the base, such that the sharp edges are positioned to engage a circumferential edge of a cap as it is being secured to the cylindrical container. In this configuration, the apparatus can firmly hold the cap as the cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) is rotated to secure the cap onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Mark Alan Uebel, Jody DuMond
  • Patent number: 7770364
    Abstract: Systems and methods for branding medication are provided, including, a first capper system that caps a first medication container with a first cap of a first branding including first identification of a third party supplier of one of the prescription and medication order; a second capper system that caps a second medication container with a second cap of a second branding including second identification of another third party supplier of the one of the prescription and medication order; a transport system that transports the first and second medication containers; and a control system that controls the transport system to transport the first and second medication containers based on customer information, and controls the one of the first capper system and the second capper system to cap the first and second medication containers with one of the first and second caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 7765772
    Abstract: An automated capping head is disclosed. It has a linkage which permits its driven rotational sleeve to be linked to a housing such that these parts can move axially relative to one another as a cap is being tightened on a bottle. The configuration of the parts reduces wear and maintenance issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Magnetic Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: John E. DeLuca, Grzegorz Podstawka
  • Publication number: 20100186349
    Abstract: Capping assemblies (2) of the type fitted to capping units (1a) in a machine for packaging containers filled with fluid or powdered products are equipped with a gripping apparatus (1) comprising a gripper (4) with three arms (5), each carrying an adapter (20) furnished with a pad (20b) offered in direct contact to the cap, through which the gripping action is applied. Each adapter (20) is secured to a fitting (17, 18) insertable into a socket (16) afforded by the bottom of a structural member (6) that forms the main part of each arm (5) and is hinged to the movable head of a relative capping assembly (2); when inserted into the structural member (6), the fitting (17, 18) is retained automatically by a snap lock mechanism (12) incorporated into the arm (5), which can be released subsequently by introducing the tip of a screwdriver into a slot (18a) created in the side of the fitting (17, 18) and levering the components apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro Zanini, Marco Baroni
  • Publication number: 20100154364
    Abstract: Rotatable bottle or container capping machine for screwing threaded screw caps onto a threaded mouth portion of filled bottles or containers to close filled bottles or containers, and a method of operation thereof. 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Herbert BERNHARD
  • Patent number: 7721510
    Abstract: A vial capping device includes a cap installation ring, a holding device, a movement device, and a tightening motor. The cap installation ring has an inner periphery thread to be threadedly engaged with a thread of an outer peripheral surface of a cap. The holding device holds a vial during fastening. The movement device brings a thread of the inner peripheral surface of the cap attached to the cap installation ring and an opening of the vial closer to each other. The tightening motor rotates one or both of the cap installation ring engaged with the cap and the holding device holding the vial. Thus, the vial capping device with a simple construction reliably fastens the cap to the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Katsunori Yoshina, Yoshihiko Ide
  • Publication number: 20100101192
    Abstract: A torque head assembly and method of capping effective to cap a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps to a spray bottle or container includes a drive roller mounted on a drive gear. The drive gear is in meshed gear communication with a plurality of train gears enclosed within a generally C-shaped driver housing wherein the a distal train gear engages a driven gear upon which a driven roller is mounted. An actuator allows the driver housing of torque head assembly to approach a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps within a plane generally horizontal thereto and at least partially co-planar therewith so as to capture the same between the dive roller and the driven roller and to thread mount the same onto the spray bottle or container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: DIAMOND MACHINE WERKS, INC.
    Inventor: Walter R. Krevald
  • Publication number: 20100089004
    Abstract: A capping chuck for a bottle capping machine is capable of applying a pre-defined torque to a cap and reducing top load during application. The capping chuck includes a drive gear mechanically connected to a clutch. The clutch controls the torque transmitted to a gripper head through a driveshaft. The gripper head secures the cap to the bottle, and includes a substantially continuous perimeter wall surrounding a plunger that moves under load in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft. The extent of movement can be controlled by a resistance element such as, for example, a spring. An engagement device affects the contact the drive gear has with the bull gear of the capping mechanism. The engagement device can rotate the capping chuck relative to the bull gear to ensure positive engagement of the drive gear with the bull gear. The engagement device can include a slotted opening and an adjustment screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Scott Data
  • Publication number: 20100058711
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine for closing a container having a lid, which includes a supply unit for delivering the container along with a loosely seated lid. A rotating crimping head is provided with a plurality of recesses for one container each, a plurality of tensioning units each hold a container into a recess, and a crimping unit crimps the lids onto the container in order to close the container. A plurality of sensor units are provided such that one sensor unit is arranged on each tensioning unit. Each sensor unit records a container rotation and/or a container tensioning force in the crimping head. Each sensor unit has a transmitter to send signals and a control unit which has a receiver to receive signals sent from the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Blumenstock, Christian Koehler, Jochen Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7673435
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having bottle plate support tables therein. The bottle plate support tables each have removable and replaceable top plate portions to permit replacement of worn friction linings, or to permit the bottle plate support table to handle bottles or containers of different dimensions or shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Heinz Thielmann
  • Patent number: 7661245
    Abstract: A capping device fits caps onto containers by applying an axial force to the caps as they are threaded onto the containers. The capping device utilizes a drive member rotatable about an operational axis for imparting rotation to a capper body slidably coupled to the drive member. A helical spring urges the capper body away from the drive member with a biasing force. A bearing mechanism allows relative free sliding movement of the capper body relative to the drive member. The bearing mechanism includes a plurality of bearing members. In one embodiment, the bearing members are bushings. In another embodiment, the bearing members are ball bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: ADCOR Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20100018157
    Abstract: A closing machine for screwing screw type caps onto screw type bottles in a beverage bottling plant and a closing machine for screwing screw type caps onto screw type containers. 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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Volker Till
  • Publication number: 20100018158
    Abstract: The invention deals with the field of screwing heads for small trigger-type pumps or triggers and namely for applying, on vessels, triggers equipped with a threaded securing ring nut (2). This screwing head (1) is rotated around a vertical axis through a permanent magnet-type clutch and comprises four rollers (5) which tighten the toothed ring nut (2) when screwing it; said rollers (5) are supported by vertical arms (4) whose axes are arranged at 90° one from the other on a circumference with its centre on the rotation axis of the screwing head. The vertical arms (4) and the four rollers (5) are simultaneously carried along a radial direction towards said ring nut through an oscillating movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: REJVES S.R.L.
    Inventor: Renzo Vesentini
  • Publication number: 20100018168
    Abstract: The container holder (5) is intended for transporting at least one container (7) with a neck flange (72), the neck flange having a top surface (74), a bottom surface (73) and a lateral surface (75). In particular, the container is a bottle with a neck flange, the bottle being made of PE, PET or HDPE material. The container holder according to the invention is furthermore provided with a rotation-blocking element (10), which is movable to a blocking position. Characteristic of the invention is the fact that in the blocking position the rotation-blocking element is arranged to engage upon the neck flange of the container, in such a way that the rotation of the container relative to the container holder is blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: STORK FOOD & DAIRY SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Franciscus Bruijns
  • Patent number: 7647746
    Abstract: A capper head for general purpose usable even when the specifications of a cap including thread pitches are changed without using a fixed gear and a lifting cam determining a lifting stroke and the timing thereof. The rotational output of a servo motor (2) is transmitted to a screw mechanism (4) through a sliding engagement section (3), and a screw shaft (17) is lowered while rotating for capping. The lowering stroke of the screw shaft (17) is allowed by the sliding engagement section (3). In capping, even if the strokes of a rotating chuck (7) and an output shaft (31) are different from the lowering stroke by the screw mechanism (4), a stroke difference absorption section (5) absorbs the stroke difference therebetween since a spring (23) in combination with a spline transmitting the rotation is deflected in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ueda, Kenji Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20090308025
    Abstract: A capping chuck including alignment balls for engaging the cap knurling. The capping chuck can also include internal knurling, and a friction engaging element for cap retention during the bottling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Wendell Martin
  • Patent number: 7617654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screwing/rolling head 1 for screwing and sealing a pre-threaded cap 5 on to a threaded neck 6 of a container 7, the head 1 having a cap pressing member 4 capable of engaging the cap 5 and screwing it on to the container 7. The said cap pressing member 4 is associated for operation with a body 2 of the head 1 in such a way that it can be moved with respect to the body 2 between a first contracted configuration and a second extended configuration, in which the movement is rotary-translational with only one degree of freedom. The present invention also relates to a head 1 in which asymmetrical clutch means 18 are interposed between the cap pressing member 4 and the body 2, and a head 1 in which the body 2 comprises a first element 8 and a second element 9 connected to it with respect to rotation by means of a disengageable torque limiter 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Tecnomax-Due S.N.C. di Novarini S. & Boccardi M.
    Inventor: Massimo Boccardi
  • Publication number: 20090260690
    Abstract: A packaged bottled beverage has a base component of the beverage in a container under vacuum separate from an additive in a sealed compartment of an ingredient release closure. Upon opening the sealed compartment, suction is created forcing the additive to quickly and thoroughly exit the ingredient release closure, a region of relatively higher pressure, and flow into the base component in the container, a region of relatively lower pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: JAMES CLAYTON BELL
  • Patent number: 7603829
    Abstract: According to method for sterilizing containers (2) of plastic material and for filling the containers with liquid substances, containers (2) are moved in succession along a feeding path (P), so as to enter a a covering structure (S) containing a one-block apparatus for sterilizing and filling and defining a closed aseptic environment. The containers (2) are sterilized in a first portion (6) of the apparatus (1), situated along a first section (T) of the path (P), then weighted filled with a liquid substance and subsequently closed with pre-sterilized plugs/caps, in a second portion (12) of the apparatus (1), situated along a second section (TR) of the path (P), after the first section (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche
    Inventor: Tiziano Brombin