Abstract: The modular turret cage is used with a capping machine adapted to apply closures to containers, such as beverage, food, or water containers. The capping machine includes a stationary cap. The modular turret cage has a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the turret cage is rotatably received in the stationary cap. The turret cage includes a top mounting plate at the top end of the turret cage and a base mounting plate at the bottom end of the turret cage. A plurality of panel sections extends between and connects the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate. The panel sections are fixedly connected to the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate and are separately removable from the top mounting plate and the base mounting plate.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating closure of integrally molded plastic construction that includes a base wall having a peripheral skirt with internal threads for engaging external threads on a container finish. A tamper-indicating band is connected to the edge of the skirt by a plurality of circumferentially spaced integral frangible bridges. A stop flange extends axially outwardly and radially inwardly from an edge of the band remote from the skirt for inversion and engagement with a bead on the container finish. The stop flange is in the form of a circumferentially continuous base of uniform thickness circumferentially of the band, and either uniform or increasing thickness radially and axially of the band. A plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs are integral with and extend from the base. The lugs widen uniformly from zero thickness at the band to a maximum thickness at the free edge of the flange.

Abstract: A bottle support plate for use in a rotary capping machine used to apply caps onto the upper threaded neck of one or more containers having a non-fully circular flange. The containers are moved along a generally circular path by a star wheel. The bottle support plate is connected to the star wheel and 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 the upper threaded neck of the container.

Abstract: A screw-tightening spindle comprising a drive sleeve associated with a chuck comprising a cylindrical support member fitted with moving jaws, the cylindrical support member being provided externally with at least one stud extending radially outwards, the sleeve including at least one slot having a first segment opening out in a free edge of the sleeve and a second segment having an end portion forming an angle relative to the sleeve suitable for retaining the stud in the end portion of the slot when the stud is engaged therein, the sleeve being fitted with a ring having at least one stop extending radially inwards and received in the slot, the ring being mounted on the sleeve to slide between a locking position in which the stop extends in the first segment of the slot in register with the second segment, and an unlocking position in which the stop is retracted into a third segment of the slot.

Abstract: A gripper 12 comprises grip members 12a, 12b which are mounted on a first rotary shaft 24 and a second rotary shaft 26, respectably, so as to be opened and closed. An engaging pawl 12c is formed on an upper surface of the grip member. The both shafts 24, 26 are elevatable in an integral manner. A receptacle member 70 is disposed below an exit star-wheel 22, and is arranged to rotate integrally with the star-wheel. The gripper is located below the flange 16a of the vessel 16 when receiving the vessel, and accordingly, the engaging pawl cannot contact the flange. When the vessel is depressed by the capping head 20 during a capping operation, the engaging pawl engages the vessel. When the vessel is discharged, the vessel remains suspended above the receptacle member 70, and the gripper then descends to place the vessel on the receptacle member and to disengage the engaging pawl of the gripper.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electric motor measures the current Im drawn by the motor and the torque Cm supplied by the motor. It includes a power supply 4 for the motor and an initialization unit 16 capable of generating a torque set point Cc and of receiving and processing information relating to the current Im and the torque Cm to deduce therefrom a relationship between the set point Cc, the torque Cm and the current Im in order to be able to determine the torque Cm from the set point Cc and the current Im.

Abstract: During the fastening of a cap (2) on a container (1), the container (1) and the cap (2) are positioned in a starting position in relation to one another and subsequently connected to one another in a positive-locking and preferably also non-positive manner. The cap (2) is held during the positioning by a clamping grip. The positioned cap (2) is taken over by a non-clamping holding mechanism (5), and the clamping grip of the cap (2) is released before the positive-locking and preferably also non-positive connection.

Abstract: A closure includes a plurality of decorative display elements arranged at regular intervals around an outside surface of the closure, the decorative display elements, and gaps between the display elements, serving as engagement locations for a chuck to rotate the closure. According to one aspect of the invention, the display elements are peaked upwardly from an open bottom end of the closure, having wider base ends than distal ends, and the gap formed between the elements is tapered in a downward direction. In one embodiment, the display elements are stepped in profile having different levels of raised planes providing a three dimensional decorative display. The regularly spaced decorative elements also provide an enhanced gripping surface for the fingers of a consumer.

Abstract: A machine for sealing bottles with sealing caps includes a transporting track for supplying sealing caps, a separating device for making available separated sealing caps and a transfer device for placing the separated sealing caps on the bottles. At least the transfer device is disposed in a sterile chamber and a spraying device is provided for introducing a sterilizing agent into the interior space of the sealing caps and a drying device is also provided for driving sterilizing agent out of the sealing caps.

Abstract: A setup table on a bottle handling machine which includes feed-end and delivery-end star wheels and associated guide tracks for the bottles as well as drive devices for the individual star wheels and handling stations, and a support plate that covers the drive devices. A plurality of handling machines are combined into a unit, and the axis of rotation of a rinser is located on a first line, and the axes of rotation of the feed-end and delivery-end star wheels of the rinser and of the filling machine are located on a second line that runs at some distance from the first. The axis of the delivery-end star wheel of the filling machine and the axis of rotation of a crown corker are located on an additional line that runs at an angle to the second line. The axis of an additional capping machine and the axis of the delivery-end star wheel of the crown corker and of the additional capping machine are located on an additional line that runs parallel to this third line.

Abstract: An improved collet crimping head used with an existing single lane capping apparatus and collet chuck for gripping, installing and crimping pharmaceutical over-caps and the like during the automated high-volume filling and capping process. The collet crimping head is a unitary member formed with a lower cap crimping section and an upper mounting collar for attachment to a chuck of said automatic capping assembly. The lower cap crimping section has an inwardly directed and constrictable crimping collar for crimping and sealing aluminum hoods of said over-caps onto the necks of containers. The collet crimping head has a slim profile for low inertia, and it incorporates a simplified design for increased durability and reliability, lower manufacturing cost, and greater ease of handling.

Abstract: An improved quick-change collet chuck used with an existing single lane capping apparatus for gripping and installing container caps during the automated high-volume filling and capping process. The quick-change collet chuck allows quick and effortless swapping out of different size jaw sets for different size caps and minimizes interruption and downtime during the automated container capping processes. The quick-change collet chuck has a slim profile for low inertia so as not to interfere with high speed operation and accurate servo torquing. Another optional feature is shown in conjunction with the quick-change collet chuck to facilitate reversible operation when it is desirable to include on-the-fly cap removal and removal torque testing on the capping machine. This feature insures that the collet chuck cannot unscrew or spin loose from the spindle shaft after the quick-change collet is already locked in position.

Abstract: The cap is screwed on by a friction clutch (33) that gives a tightening torque less than the desired ideal torque. The cap (C) gripping head (47) is connected not only to the driven part of the clutch but also, through a composite drive shaft (233, 54), to a freewheel (57) engaging with a mechanism which, after the screwing of the cap by the clutch, is acted on by a wedge (89) of programmable and adjustable interference mounted on a guide connected to a load cell (84). When this mechanism is acted upon by the wedge, it receives from it the small rotation required to complete the screwing of the cap and the reaction of the wedge to the mechanism is detected by the load cell, which emits an electrical signal proportional to the effective tightening torque applied to the cap.

Abstract: An improved pre-capping machine and method for pre-capping containers that are advanced along a predetermined path by standard conveyor systems. The present invention pretightens caps, plugs, overcaps and other fitments to ensure that they are squarely placed on the containers, without damage to the containers, in preparation for their final closure. The apparatus comprises a spindle assembly, having a longitudinal spindle axis, that is connected to a frame for movement of the spindle assembly along the spindle axis. The spindle assembly comprises a cap gripper that is configured to hold a cap centered over the open end of a container so that axes through the cap, the open end of the container and the spindle assembly generally coincide. To place a cap on the container, the spindle is released for free movement along the spindle axis.

Abstract: A capping machine (10) and method for installing a cap (12) having a threaded portion onto a container (14) having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the capping machine having a rotatable turret (20) and a rotatable cap chuck (16) which grips the cap and positions the cap on the container. The cap chuck is rotated by a spindle (22) driven by a servo motor (24) at adjustable and reversible rotational velocities independent of the rotational velocity of the turret. The number of rotations of the cap is determined by monitoring the number of rotations of the servo motor compared to the number of rotations of the turret and is transmitted to a spindle drive control(70). The torque imparted to the cap is monitored by a torque monitor (50) and is transmitted to the spindle drive control. The rotational velocity of the cap is adjustable in response to the compared monitored number of rotations and monitored torque.

Abstract: A chuck (10) has a jaw bell (20), a lower bell portion (22) surrounding a plurality of jaws (40) and a hub (28) surrounding an upper portion of a jaw stem (60). A second portion of the jaw stem extends beyond a jaw bell hub (28) and is surrounded by a compressed jaw stem spring (76). The jaw stem spring is retained between a bell hub collar (34) and a jaw stem collar (70). The force of the jaw stem spring holds the jaw bell around the jaws, holding the jaws in a closed position. A stripper (80) has an upper end (82) carried within the jaw stem. A stripper spring (90) located above the upper end of the stripper is compressed and surrounded by the jaw stem. The lower end of the stripper has a disk (84) with a frusto-conical cross-section in slidable contact with the jaws. The jaw stem spring exerts more force downward on the jaw bell than the stripper spring exerts downward on the stripper to hold the jaw bell around the jaws and the jaws closed.

Abstract: A machine for attaching threaded caps to containers continuously moving in a longitudinal path and having endless belts disposed at opposite sides of the caps with the cap engaging belt portions traveling in opposite directions to impart twisting motion to the cap. The belts are moved transversely of the path into and out of engagement with the caps at a uniformed but variable rate to impose two or more pulses of twisting movement to each cap. The times of engagement and disengagement of the belts with the caps, the maximum twisting force and speed of the belts all are under the control of a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A plurality of containers on which untightened threaded caps are deposited are transported in a circular path synchronously with a cap tightening device for each container. The devices have a substantial vertical reciprocable non-rotatable shaft on which a cylindrical member is rotatable and a cylindrical housing is mounted to and is axially adjustable on the member. A spool of magnetic metal is rotatable on the shaft and is adapted for engaging a cap to turn and tighten it. Magnetizable and magnetized elements are arranged with the housing concentrically to the spool. While being transported the housings of the devices engage a stationary driver which turns the housings consecutively so the spools turn by virtue of magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements and the spool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for screwing a cap on the neck of a container, said device comprising gripper means designed to tighten round the screw cap and to rotate it so as to screw it on to the neck of the container, actuating means designed to act on the gripper means in such a way as to rotate them about a longitudinal axis of the device, transmitting to them a drive torque that rotates the caps, and coupling elements fitted between the actuating means and the gripper means and designed to enable the transmission of torque and, when the torque exceeds a preset value, to interrupt it; means being envisaged for inhibiting transmission even when the torque falls below the preset value.

Abstract: A wear plate for use in a rotary capping machine used to apply caps onto the upper threaded neck of a series of plastic containers, having a generally cylindrical body with an outer cylindrical periphery with a diameter and a pedaloid base with spaced pads separated by radial recesses extending from a center recess, as the containers are moved along a circular path by a star wheel with outwardly protruding pockets supporting the necks of the containers. The wear plate being a flat ring rotated in unison with the star wheel about a machine axis and adapted to support the containers, the ring having an upwardly facing flat surface and a series of container receiving nests movable in the circular path as the ring is rotated, each of the nests having an inner flat area and at least one elongated bar-like abutment projecting upwardly from the flat surface a given vertical distance and extending in a direction radial of the inner area.

Abstract: A straight line capping machine is provided that wherein the cap tightening discs and the container grasping mechanism are synchronized to a predetermined relationship so as to prevent cocked caps, loose caps and/or scuffed caps. In particular, the mechanisms are synchronized to ensure that the tangential velocity of the rear cap tightening disc minus the tangential velocity of the front cap tightening disc is about twice the predetermined velocity of the container passing through the capping machine.

Abstract: A screwdriving spindle assembly comprising a spindle shaft provided with a holding device and secured to a gear wheel rotated by a drive assembly which comprises a pressurized fluid actuating cylinder having a piston rod secured to a transmission system, and a member for adjusting pressure disposed on a line for feeding fluid to the cylinder in the screw-tightening direction.

Abstract: A capping assembly includes at least one tube fixed to a spindle of an automatic machine and provided with a piston and cylinder unit for axially displacing a bush operatively connected with the tube and formed with a shaped recess to releasably engage a respective formation on a cup support upon displacement of the piston in the cylinder.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for incorporation in conventional bottle capping or bottle filling and capping machines to improve the handling of plastic bottles with pre-threaded screw caps and with a three dimensional bottom surface commonly employed and referred to as a petaloid shape. The normal flat table surface on which bottles rest while the cap is being screwed on is replaced with a surface having upstanding, radially-arranged fingers positioned to extend into all or most of the spaces between the lobes in the bottom of the petaloid bottle at each bottle capping station and form a nest for such bottles. Generally conventional bottle receiver and guide elements cause the bottles to assume a position substantially upright and coaxial with the center of the array of fingers for the particular bottle capping station. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a depression in the table surface to receive the bottom of a petaloid bottle and the fingers are located in that depression.

Abstract: A device and method of preventing rotation of a plastic container of the type having a generally cylindrical body, a circular flange below a threaded neck and a pedaloid base with pads separated by diverging recesses as a capping head screws a cap onto the neck while the capping head and container are moving in unison along a preselected path, which device method comprises a support member with an upwardly extending, fixed rib extending along the path whereby the container slides along the rib as it is moved with the capping head so the rib extends into a recess of the pedaloid base to prevent rotation of the container with the capping head.

Abstract: A capping apparatus includes a capping head 3 which is provided with a rotatable spindle. A plurality of permanent magnets 51 are embedded around the entire outer periphery at the upper end of the spindle, with adjacent permanent magnets 51 presenting magnetic poles of different polarities. An arcuate rotation imparting member 53 is fixedly mounted and includes a plurality of permanent magnets 55 which are disposed along a locus of travel of the permanent magnets 51 on the capping head 3, with adjacent permanent magnets 55 presenting magnetic poles of different polarities. As the capping head 3 moves through a threadable engaging zone C in a direction indicated by an arrow, coaction between the permanent magnets 51 and 55 causes the capping head 3 to rotate clockwise, thereby causing a cap 12 to be threadably engaged with a container 4.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling includes a cylindrical housing, a spindle, an adjusting plate, two pairs of permanent magnet discs, two hysteresis material discs, and a screw member. The spindle is rotatably supported at its axial position by the housing. The adjusting plate is rotatably supported by the spindle to partition an interior of the housing into two sections in a direction of the spindle. The two pairs of permanent magnets are provided in the two corresponding sections to respectively oppose each other. One of each pair of permanent magnet discs is fixed in the housing and the other thereof is fixed to the adjusting plate. Each permanent magnet disc has magnetic poles with polarities that alternate in a circumferential direction. The hysteresis material discs are fixed to the spindle and arranged between the corresponding pairs of permanent magnet discs at a predetermined gap. The screw member fixes the adjusting plate to the housing.

Abstract: An adapter system is provided for a capping machine. A first adapter is mounted on the capping machine spindle. A second adapter carries the capping head and is axially movable on the first adapter. The second adapter is urged with an axial capping load to an extended position relative to the first adapter. The spindle can be moved to a second position while rotating to engage the cap with the container and move the first adapter axially toward the second adapter. A travel stop can be provided to impose a higher, initial load on the cap when the cap thread initially engages the container thread. After the initial engagement, the rotating spindle effects continued threaded engagement of the cap which, owing to the helical thread engagement, moves downwardly on the container thread under a lower axial capping load. The travel stop can also be omitted to provide a single axial capping load.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid interchanging of different ramping mechanisms for capping equipment. When capping equipment is to be changed from providing roll-on closures to glass bottles to providing threaded plastic closures to plastic bottles, the positions of the bottles relative to the capping turret mechanism must be altered by changing the ramping mechanisms guiding the bottles. The ramping mechanism is maintained in position by a locking plate engaging a resilient connection connected to the ramping mechanism. The apparatus is designed so that when the locking plate is slightly rotated, the ramping mechanism can be readily removed and a different one inserted. Rotation of the locking plate in the other direction locks the new ramping mechanism in place.

Abstract: A capping unit for capping containers with respective caps, each presenting a spray head with a ring nut for fitting it to the threaded neck of the container; the capping unit presenting at least one capping head wherein a first gripping device grips a respective spray head, and a second gripping device presents two jaws for gripping the ring nut and rotating it in relation to the first gripping device; each jaw presenting a gripping roller integral with a respective planetary gear of an epicyclic drive wherein each planetary gear is barrel-shaped and presents teeth in turn presenting a convex longitudinal profile and meshing permanently with a straight-toothed outer ring gear regardless of the position of the relative jaw.

Abstract: A crimping tool used to secure a cap onto a bottle or vial. The tool has vertical handles, a crimping action involving combined horizontal movement of a movable handle controlling the vertical movement of the crimper, and an in line screw stop to limit the downward movement of the crimper.

Abstract: A flat elastic membrane is fixed to an inelastic edge surrounding a cavity on a coupling element. The elastic membrane can be pressed onto twist closures of different types and sizes to permit transmission of torsional force from the coupling element to the twist closures.

Abstract: A capping head including a housing assembly including a magnetic clutch interconnecting a drive spindle and a quill for applying a closure to a container. The magnetic clutch consists of opposed rings of magnets and one of the rings is disposed in a piston ring assembly that is quickly and easily adjustable relative to the other to vary the torque limit of the clutch. A simple yet efficient clamping assembly is employed to facilitate ready adjustment and retention of the movable piston ring.

Abstract: A puck is provided for releasably gripping a closure element to be moved along a predetermined path and mated to a container. The puck includes a main body and a gripper assembly associated with the main body for releasably gripping the closure element. The gripper assembly comprises first and second opposing arms connected to the main body. The first arm has two first gripper members mounted thereto and the second arm has two second gripper members mounted thereto. The first and second arms are movable between a retracted position and a gripping position. The first gripper members are rotatable for effecting rotation of the closure element to permit the closure element to be mated to the container. The gripper assembly further includes first and second spring-biased support members connected to the first and second arms for movement between first and second positions.

Abstract: A system for securely placing threaded caps on threaded containers. The system includes a cap feeding device which facilitates the initial placement of caps on container necks. After initial placement, the cap and container are brought into engagement with a spindle assembly which grips the cap and prevents rotation of the container. The spindle assembly engages a is brought into contact with a rotation inducing device, which causes the tightening of the cap onto the container neck. The chuck of the spindle assembly and the rotation inducing device each have the ability to prevent overtightening of the cap onto the container. In addition, the cap and container are specially configured to facilitate initial placement in a manner which reduces the possibility of misalignment.

Abstract: Stirrup and can elevating platform components are disclosed which, in normal operation, do not tilt or mis-align smaller footprint cans as the cans are successively transferred to and elevated by a can platform or a wear plate superimposed upon the can platform prior to and during filling.

Abstract: An improved cap tightening turret is of the type which includes a plurality of cap tightening spindles. The cap tightening spindles are mounted around the outer periphery of the turret. The turret includes a number of pedestals for respectively supporting a plurality of containers. Each of the spindles is for supporting a cap with each pedestal for movement of the neck of the container thereon into the spindle for causing the cap to be tightened by rotation onto the container. Each of the containers has an outwardly extending handle. A first type of container has the handle thereof disposed at a first radial distance thereon and a second type of container has a handle thereof disposed at a second radial distance thereon with the second radial distance being larger than the first radial distance. The improvement includes a single rotational prevention element mounted on each spindle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a capping machine head for affixing screw caps on containers, which in one embodiment has a cylindrical magnet ring in the body of the head surrounding a cap chuck driving element in a low friction bearing in the head, each having an array of permanent magnets, preferably about fifty or more in number, distributed around their periphery. For certain angular relative positions of the ring and the chuck driving element, the north poles of one are face-to-face with the south poles of the other; displacement from such position causes torque on the order of tell to twenty inch pounds to be imparted to the chuck driving element. The chuck driving element rotates with the magnet ring until the resistance of a cap being threaded on the container exceeds a predetermined torque limit, after which the magnet ring rotates relative to the essentially stationary chuck driving element. The ring magnets may be in an axially misaligned position to reduce and control maximum torque value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for capping containers, primarily used with capping machines, that increases the engagement time that a driven roller maintains with a cylindrical side of the container cap so that the roller subtends a predetermined arc about the cylindrical axis of the container. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for resiliently urging the rotatably driven roller into the path of the container and then into engagement with the cap as the container advances on a predetermined path.

Abstract: A rotary capping machine (10) includes a nonrotating center shaft (26) about which a turret (28) is rotatably mounted. The turret (28) is rotated by a motor (30) whose speed can be adjusted to alter the bottle through put rate of the capping machine (10). A plurality of spindle shafts (44) are supported on the turret (28) in a circle about the center shaft (26). A rotary capping head (48) is positioned on the end of each spindle shaft (44) and includes a clutch mechanism. A drive motor (68) supported on the center shaft (26) rotates each of the spindle shafts (44) in unison through a compound and planetary gear train. As the spindle shafts (44) revolve about the center shaft (26), they are linearly reciprocated by a barrel cam (50) arrangement. A rotary encoder (78) senses the instantaneous rotational speed of the turret (28) and sends feed back signals to a CPU to control the drive motor (68) so the spindle shafts (44) always rotate at a field determined constant speed regardless of the turret speed.

Abstract: A capping machine for capping a container having a screw-threaded neck portion with a correspondingly screw-threaded cap. The machine comprises retaining means for retaining such a container in a retaining position and a rotary chuck for holding such a cap above the capping position, forward and reverse rotary drive means coupled to the chuck for rotating such a cap in both a clockwise sense and an anticlockwise sense, rotary movement monitoring means constructed and positioned to monitor rotation of the chuck, linear motion means coupled to the chuck to move the chuck both downwardly and upwardly, screwthread-disengagement monitoring means arranged to monitor when the screwthreads of such a cap and neck disengage momentarily as the cap is rotated in the unscrewing sense on the neck and the linear motion means urge the chuck downwardly, and control means connected to the rotary drive means, the rotary movement monitoring means, and the screwthread-disengagement monitoring means.

Abstract: A bottle support construction for a capping machine comprising a rotatable table having a series of circumferentially spaced openings. A plurality of bottles are conveyed onto the table with each bottle being positioned in registry with an opening. The bottles, preferably composed of plastic, have a cavity in their lower surfaces with each cavity containing one or more radial groves. A chuck is mounted for vertical movement within each opening in the table from a lower non-chucking position to an upper chucking position where the chuck engages the cavity in the bottle. The chuck is provided with one or more radial ribs which engage the grooves in the cavity of the bottle to lock the bottle against rotation while a cap is threaded on the neck of the bottle.

Abstract: A slewing device for screw closures for containers includes a screw closure receiving member, a drive for rotating the receiving member, and a control arrangement for controlling power supply to the drive and including a torque sensor for sensing an instantaneous drive torque, a comparator for comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value, and a sensor for sensing an angle of rotation of the receiving member and actuatable only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermine value. The method of placing a screw closure on a container includes applying a drive torque to the screw closure to screw it down onto the container, sensing an instantaneous drive torque applied to the screw closure, comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value, and sensing an angle of rotation of the screw closure only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value of the closing torque.

Abstract: There is disclosed a capping machine head for affixing screw caps on containers, which in one embodiment has a cylindrical magnet ring in the body of the head surrounding a cap chuck driving element in a low friction bearing in the head, each having an array of permanent magnets distributed around their periphery. For certain angular relative positions of the ring and the chuck driving element, the North poles of one are face-to-face with the South poles of the other; displacement from such position causes torque on the order of ten to twenty inch pounds to be imparted to the chuck driving element. The chuck driving element rotates with the magnet ring until the resistance of a cap being threaded on the container exceeds a predetermined torque limit, after which the magnet ring rotates relative to the essentially stationary chuck driving element. The ring magnets may be in an axially misaligned position to reduce and control maximum torque value.

Abstract: A filling and capping machine including a computer controlled turret having a plurality of pockets for positioning a plurality of containers to at least a fill position and a capping position along the turret's path. The controller programmably positions the turret to these positions for variations of the locations of the pockets on the turret and accommodates for variations in the size and number of the container pockets and the type of fill product and type of containers. The controller also controls the position of the filling unit for the type of fill product as well as controlling the positioning of the filling unit and the capping unit for variations in the type of container. The controller uses a combination of servo motors and fluid motors to vertically and rotationally position the elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for applying closures to containers. Each closure is carried to a respective container in a chuck of a closure holder mounted on a closure conveyor. The holder has an axially movable spindle which is yieldably moved from a retracted position to an extended position as the closure conveyor moves. The spindle may be selectively rotated while in extended position, by a pulley which is coupled to it by a clutch. The closures are applied to containers moving on a straight run of a container conveyor. The closure conveyor carries the closures along a linear path parallel to the containers while the spindles are sequentially extended to apply the closures.

Abstract: A clutch adapted for use in a screwcapping device to apply a preselected amount of torque to the driven component having a pair of axially aligned circular cylinders of equal diameter each having a generally smooth engaging surface facing the other clutch cylinder. Each of the cylinders has cavities in the rear side for containing magnets. The magnets are secured in the cavities by means of a cured polymeric resin. The maximum torque provided by the clutch is controlled by using removable spacer disks of varying thicknesses and having a diameter equal to that of the cylinders positioned between the engaging surfaces. The spacer may have a slot extending from the radius to the periphery adapted to be positioned on a central spindle passing through the cylinders.

Abstract: An improved cap disc air clutch mechanism is provided, in which a pair of improved cap disc air clutch mechanisms will sense the torque between a cap and neck of a container and will allow cap tightening discs thereon to stop once the desired torque is reached and at the same time, allow the respective spindle shafts to continue to rotate. The improved cap disc air clutch mechanisms are adjustable to different torques by varying air pressure thereto, since the torque required for caps and containers varies considerably.

Abstract: A device for orientating ball caps in a bottle type capping machine of the type having an upper cap chute assembly, a lower cap chute assembly, a capping stabilizer assembly and a conveyor carrying bottles to be capped. The device consists of a sleeve sized to fit vertically between the upper cap chute assembly and the lower cap chute assembly to allow each ball cap to travel therethrough. A mechanism is for securing the sleeve to the bottle type capping machine in its vertical position. Another mechanism is for rotating each ball cap one hundred and eighty degrees when traveling through the sleeve by the force of gravity so that each ball cap will be in its proper position to be placed upon and capped to each bottle traveling along the conveyor below the capping stabilizer assembly.

Abstract: A rotary capping machine is disclosed for application of screw-on closure caps to bottles, jars, or other containers. The machine includes a guiding mechanism which insures that a cap is held in a proper position on a transfer mechanism of the machine. Capping head assemblies of this machine each include a magnetic pickup arrangement, with a friction tip provided for contact with the closure caps.