Abstract: A packaging system for sealing a medicine container having a filling opening with a stopper includes a container tray having a container cell for receiving and stabilizing the medicine container. A shuttle has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The interior surface is configured for releasably securing the stopper. The shuttle is configured to release the stopper into the fill opening upon application of a releasing force to the exterior surface of the shuttle. A shuttle tray has a shuttle cell. The shuttle cell forms a body with a proximal opening, an interior space, a bottom inner surface opposite the proximal opening, and a side inner surface. The shuttle cell releasably secures the shuttle.

Abstract: A packaging system for aseptically packaging, filling, and sealing medical containers includes a container tray (100) having a container cell (120) for receiving and stabilizing the medicine container. The system also includes a stopper holder (300) with a stopper cell (320) forming a closed body with a distal opening, an interior space, a proximal wall opposite the distal opening, and a proximal outer surface (330). The stopper cell (320) is configured for releasably securing the stopper and releasing the stopper into a fill opening of the medicine container when a compressive force is exerted on the proximal outer surface of the stopper cell (320).

Abstract: A cap gripper is described herein with a groove for receiving a projecting portion of a cap. A positively biased member may create a narrowing in the groove to secure the projecting portion of the cap within the groove. The positively biased member may be positively biased by a spring-loaded screw that is inserted into a screw hole of the cap gripper. When the cap is inserted into the cap gripper, the positively biased member may be partially depressed within the screw hole to allow the projecting portion of the cap to be inserted into the groove. Likewise, when the cap is removed from the cap gripper, the positively biased member may be partially depressed within the screw hole to allow the projecting portion of the cap to be removed from the groove.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for capping and sealing a vial with a cap assembly including a deformable annular seal, e.g., a ferrule, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base for holding the vial, a pressure applying platen, plural sealing rollers and associated electronic circuitry and motors. The platen is arranged to be moved relative to the base, whereupon it engages and applies a force to the cap assembly. The load cell measures the force applied and provides a signal indicative thereof to the electronic circuitry. The electronic circuitry determines when a desired amount of force has been applied to control the operation of the rollers, whereupon the rollers apply a force to the annular seal to permanently crimp the annular seal on the vial.

Abstract: The system for removing or replacing caps for vials in a fixed array includes a removable cartridge with a plurality of sets of gripper plates corresponding to the number of columns in the array. Each plate has a plurality of gripper arms corresponding to the number of rows in the array. The gripper arms have hooked ends which are oriented in opposite directions in each set of plates. Relative positioning of the gripper arms is varied by one or more rotating cams, which cause the gripper arms on one plate of each set to move relative to the gripper arms of the other plate(s) of the set, varying the combined width and/or relative angle of the gripper arms to manipulate a cap inserted into the end of each vial. The plurality of plate sets and gripper arms allow all vials in the array to be capped or de-capped simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a filled bottle closed by a stopper is disclosed. The venting is designed to equalize the pressure between the interior of the bottle and the atmosphere such that the stopper inserted into the filled bottle is not forced out of the bottle by excess pressure in the bottle. The venting may be accomplished by deforming the stopper in the bottle opening to form an air-outlet opening in the region sealed by the stopper and the bottle. The venting may be implemented by a squeezing device arranged on at least one side of the stopper, the squeezing device being active in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the bottle opening.

Abstract: Drums or vessels with bungs or orifices having generally cylindrical walls with edges capable of being sealed-against are sealed with closures that deform into contact with those edges and provide seals that are tamper-proof.

Abstract: A double lid system is provided with an electric motor (44) to actuate mechanisms to release the lid (20) from a drum (18) and simultaneously clamp the lid (20) to a door (14) of a port (or vice versa), and with an electric motor (74) to withdraw the door (14) from the port to open the port (or to close it). The system is monitored by sensors (60,62,64,82) associated with an electronic logic interlock to ensure the correct sequence of operations of the motors (44,74). The sensors (60,62,64,82) and the motors (44,74) are readily demountable for remote maintenance or replacement. The door-opening motor (74) may he a linear actuator cooperating with a part-helical slot (80) to open the door (14) and then swing it clear of the port.

Abstract: Combination of a row of containers and a strip of caps, each of the containers and caps being respectively joined by breakable links allowing the joined strip of caps to be placed on necks of the joined row of containers by a translational movement parallel to axes of the containers. Click-fasteners are provided on the container necks to interact with complementary click-fasteners formed on the caps. The caps close the containers in a leaktight fashion when snapped into place. The links between each container/cap combination can then be broken to separate each container/cap assembly from the other container/cap assemblies. The click-fasteners also allow each cap to be removed from the corresponding container.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method of and apparatus for inserting a lid, or plug closure, in a container body by use of a thrust member bearing on the back surface of the lid in which the thrust member is applied in such a way as to obtain a creasing of the lid when the pressure of the air trapped in the said body increases, this air then escaping between the lid and the container body. The invention is applicable to the fields of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, hygiene products and foodstuffs.

Abstract: This air operated plastic pail capper machine is designed to quickly and effectively push a cover onto a pail, while also pushing out any air that may be above the contents of the pail. Primarily, it consists of a base with rollers on top for easy alignment of a pail with a plate attached to a piston rod of an air cylinder, and the air cylinder is mounted to a sleeve attached to a post secured to the base of the machine. Palm operated valves are also employed to operate the machine.

Abstract: An assembly in which a loaded container is covered with a box top in telescoping relationship with the loaded container. The box top is pressed over the loaded container and during the telescoping action is held in telescoping relationship by means of a spreader assembly that contacts the internal wall of the box top and the external wall of the loaded container, so that the box top can be telescopingly applied when being loaded over the container.