Abstract: Apparatus for engaging a cap releasably secured in a container includes a carrier that is selectively movable up and down relative to the container and carries a cap engagement tool and a centering collar. At least one among the cap engagement tool and centering collar is biased downwardly by at least two spaced-part biasing members during operations.

Abstract: A water bottle includes a body having a threaded portion on a first end and an end cap assembly. The end cap assembly includes an inner lid having 1) a threaded portion to engage the threaded portion on the first end of the body and 2) a circular flange or rim having a structure extending downwardly, thereby forming a plurality of grooves or notches; and an outer lid having a structure on a circumferential top surface forming a plurality of projections.

Abstract: A guiding device for a positioning plate of a transport device for gripping, holding, guiding and transporting bottle-like containers. In order to provide non-rotational guiding and stabilizing of the positioning plate and/or gripper devices, the guiding device includes an elongated hollow body having a plurality of guide recesses that are formed along the hollow body. A transport device having such a guiding device is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fitting and equipping motor vehicle battery housings as a compact system, which comprises individual production stations and associated transport devices, wherein the battery plate packs to be processed are arranged in clamping cassettes and are provided to the device in the necessary pack width for the intended battery cells by a feeding station arranged upstream.

Abstract: A cap stabilizer of a capping device includes a fastening element that connects the cap stabilizer to the capping device such that the cap stabilizer is removable from the capping device by sliding the cap stabilizer in a first direction, opposite a direction of travel of container to be capped by the capping device.

Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit at its lower end that provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A gripping device for automatic bottle-topping machines comprising an anti-rotation blocking element, mobile between an opening position and a gripping position, a first mechanism, provided for actuation of the anti-rotation blocking element, a first actuation element, operatively connected to the first mechanism a gripping element, mobile between an opening position and a gripping position, a second mechanism, provided for actuation of the gripping element, and a second actuation element, operatively connected to the second mechanism, wherein the anti-rotation blocking element and the gripping element are provided for engaging on a bottle.

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.

Abstract: A liquid pouring device for bottles comprises a tubular body (2) defining a longitudinal axis (X) and having an axial cavity (3) open at the ends for the passage and pouring of the liquid contained in the bottle (B), anchorage means (13, 16) of the tubular body (2) to the neck (N) of a bottle (B), a pouring spout (4) slidably inserted in the cavity (3) in order to be moved between an inoperative position completely contained in the cavity (3) and an operative position in which it has at least one longitudinal end portion (5) projecting outwardly of the cavity (3) for allowing the controlled pouring of the liquid. The longitudinal end portion (5) in operative position is inclined by a predetermined inclination angle (a) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) in order to define a selective orientation for the spout (4) during the pouring of the liquid. An orienting apparatus for capping plants is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mounting a needle guard onto a syringe body that is provided with a needle. The device includes a retaining device for retaining the syringe body, a needle guard receptacle for receiving the needle guard, a compressed air system for providing compressed air, a first displacement device for displacing the needle guard receptacle in a vertical direction, and a rotation device for at least partially rotating the needle guard receptacle. The needle guard receptacle is disposed beneath the retaining device while the compressed air is fed to the needle guard receptacle such that the needle guard is suspended on an air cushion in a floating manner. The needle guard receptacle can be displaced in a vertical direction by the first displacement device. The invention further relates to a method for mounting the needle guard onto the syringe body.

Abstract: Decapping system for opening or closing reagent containers or cartridge systems closed by a lid which is removed and secured by a rotational movement and method thereof are disclosed. The decapping system has a centering unit at its lower end that provides a snap-in element which engages the lid, and a plurality of simultaneously driven and vertically movable screwing heads which compensates for variable heights and/or sizes of cartridge systems to be processed.

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).

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing tray-shaped or pot-shaped receptacles, such as blister packs or pots for storing dairy products, includes a sealing head having a sealing contour support, a heatable sealing contour and support plate, preferably with at least one guide bolt immobilized thereon allowing for a linear displacement of the sealing head relative to the support plate. At least one spring element impinges the sealing head with a point biasing away from the support plate. A spring seat plate is disposed between the sealing head and the support plate and can be linearly displaced in the same direction as the sealing head. A rubber mount associated with the sealing head serves as a joint element and allows the sealing contour support to be tilted about the axes that are perpendicular to the guide bolts. An adjustable element is interposed between the spring seat plate and the sealing head.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for real-time alignment of packaging surfaces can include two or more sensors for detecting the positioning of carton surfaces and a servo system. The servo system can include a servo motor and a controller. The servo system records the positioning of the carton surfaces and calculates a difference in position. The controller compares the calculated value with a predetermined value and if necessary, the servo motor turns a correction wheel to align the carton surfaces.

Abstract: This invention is a device and method to seal covers on containers such as food containers. But it can be used to seal containers for other products also. Its design allows its configuration for use on containers and covers of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, having a transfer device for the transfer of containers from a transfer starwheel to the carousel of a container handling machine. A transfer device for container handling machines such as fillers, rinsers or cappers for the handling of containers with a neck ring, with a circulating carousel on which there are handling spaces for the container, with at least one infeed starwheel, whereby the transfer device comprises a rigid transfer arm and optionally a drive system to move the transfer arm back and forth.

Abstract: A packaging machine for loading a plurality of articles into a carton which mechanism comprises carton erecting means for part erecting said carton to define a first article receiving cell, means for selecting a group of articles comprising at least two articles, means for separating said grouped articles from an adjacent like group of articles, means for loading said grouped articles into said first article receiving cell through an open end thereof in the packaging carton and a means for completing the construction of the carton. There also comprises a mechanism for forming a carton including a pair of article receiving cells comprising complementary die members, each said die member being mounted to a rotating wheel wherein each said complementing die member is adapted to interengage when a blank is positioned between the two members, such that said die members cause the blank to be folded to define said article receiving cells.

Abstract: Containers (2) having a threaded neck (3) and a mouth (4) are capped by a unit (1) appearing as a carousel (5) equipped with capping heads caused to advance along a circular path (P) and capable of axial movement toward and away from the containers in such a way that each one can be fitted with a relative cap (11); each capping head of the unit (1) incorporates a gripper (31) furnished with two jaws (30) presenting relative conical surfaces (26), and respective cylindrical surfaces (27) designed to locate against the neck (3) of the container. When the cylindrical surfaces (27) register against the outer surface of the neck (3), the conical surfaces (32) are positioned with the lower edges (28) encroaching on the area compassed by the mouth (4) in such a way that the cap (11) can be gathered and aligned with the neck (3) of the container (2) before being tightened, thereby ensuring a precise fit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for filling containers with liquid of the type having a tubular filling lance operatively connected to a source of liquid and being vertically moveable between raised positions above said containers and lowered positions, when coaxially aligned with a filling hole in one of said containers, extending through said filling hole into said container for filling thereof. The apparatus comprises a conveyor assembly on which two or more containers with randomly disposed filling holes may be moved to a filling station generally below the filling lance. A carriage assembly is provided by which the filling lance may be moved in X, Y, Z coordinates, first to a raised position coaxially aligned with a selected one of the container filling holes and then to a lowered position into a selected container.

Abstract: A self-adjusting capping chuck assembly for use in association with a filler and/or capper device comprising: an outer cam having an aperture defined by an inner peripheral geometry; and a cap engaging jaw displaced within the aperture of the outer cam. The cap engaging jaw includes at least two displaceable jaw components, and a member for biasing the displaceable jaw components into a cap engaging configuration.

Abstract: An automatic bulk filling machine is provided having a container input end which includes a fill station for filling a container in accordance with weight or volume requirements followed by a lid dispensing and attachment station wherein the lids of the container are placed over the container in registry with the lip of the container and closed onto the bulk container by a piston cylinder combination having a lid pad for pressing and deforming the center of the lid onto the bulk container before press fitting the bulk container lid onto the bulk container which filled and sealed bulk container is then transferred to an optional labeling station and subsequently transferred to the output end of the conveyor to complete the automated filling, sealing and labeling operations for removal of the container from the automated bulk filling machine.

Abstract: A lid guide ensures that a lid is accurately positioned and oriented when it is lowered over and placed onto a tray used to hold electronic devices, for example, for transport between different stages in the manufacturing process, thereby helping to prevent damage to the devices that might otherwise result from physical contact with a lid that is placed onto the tray in a haphazard manner. A lid guide may have one or more openings, each of which may be keyed to restrict the tray and the lid to a single rotational orientation. In addition, channels may be provided in opposing walls of each opening in the lid guide to enable a technician to hold either a tray or a lid between a thumb and a finger when placing the tray onto the lid guide or the lid onto the tray.

Abstract: A closure assembly to facilitate the sealing of each of a series of necked containers, each of different body configurations and contours, with the same hinged lid. The invention thus obviates the need for relatively complex and costly molds and effects substantial savings in manufacturing costs. The first component of the closure assembly is an adapter for mounting on a given particular container. The adapter includes a skirt for sleeved securement onto the neck of the container. A plate of the adapter overlies the container neck and is formed with a through port for discharge therethrough of material stored in the container. A second component of the closure assembly consists of a lid assembly, the same lid assembly being readily attachable to each of the different adapters, and, thus, to each of the different containers. The lid assembly includes a cover overlying the plate of the cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article processing apparatus which is preferred for use in a capper which attaches a cap to a vessel. The apparatus includes a processing head, which is provided with four capping mechanisms. Each capping mechanisms on the processing head takes hold of a cap on feeder means. The processing head is then translated to a position over a conveyor and moves in tracking relationship with four vessels which are being conveyed by the conveyor to attach each cap carried by the capping mechanism to associated underlying vessel. The attachment of a cap to a vessel while the processing head moves in tracking relationship with vessels on the conveyor provides an article processing apparatus which has its processing capability enhanced as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: The orienting device of the present invention will properly orient a closure which is transferred from a hopper to be applied to a container in connection with a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The present invention will also maintain the orientation on an anvil as the anvil moves the closure from the orienting device to a container through exertion of a vacuum on the closure. The present invention also discloses a specific closure for use with an overall orienting closure system. The orienting device will have at least two channels which maintain the closure as the closure is oriented into a desired position.

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: An orientationally sensitive closure for mounting to a container in a specific orientation includes a closure body and a flange. A spout portion extends from one side of the flange and an orienting projection extends from a side of the flange opposite of the spout. The flange and spout can be coaxial with one another, with the spout centrally disposed thereon. The projection extends from the flange in a non-coaxial relation to the spout and flange. An apparatus for orienting the closure prior to mounting to a container includes a body defining inlet and outlet regions extending along a longitudinal axis of the body. Flange and projection receiving channels extend between the inlet and outlet regions. The flange channel defines a substantially straight-through path through the apparatus, along the longitudinal axis. The projection channel defines a path having at least two bends therein defining a portion generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.

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 machine for applying toggle strap fitted lids to open container bodies comprising a lid holding station (1), a container body holding station (2), a lid working means (3) adapted for movement between said lid holding station and said container body holding station and a toggle closing means (21) wherein said lid working means is adapted to pick up a single lid and attached toggle strap from said lid holding station, move from said lid holding station to said container body station, release the toggle strap from said lid while retaining both lid and released toggle strap in substantial juxtaposition, position said lid and released toggle strap onto the open end of a container body positioned on said container body holding station, wherein said toggle closing means closes the released toggle and thereby applies said toggle strap fitted lid to said open container body.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus operates to advance and rotationally orient a container during packaging of a product and broadly comprises a conveyor, a rotor assembly mounted to the conveyor, a rotary drive means and orientation sensing means. The rotor assembly includes a holder adapted to receive a container in a supported state with the supported container being aligned along the rotor axis such that the container may be rotated thereabout. The rotary drive means operates to selectively engage the rotor assembly and the supported container for rotatably orienting the supported container with respect to the rotor axis. The orientation sensing means monitors rotational orientation of the supported container, and the conveyor operates to advance the rotor assembly and the supported container during the packaging of the product.

Abstract: It comprises a transport member on which the receptacles have a displacement direction corresponding to their long sides, at least one rotary packaging platform, and a rotary transfer member for transferring the receptacles from the transport member to the packaging platform, and a swivelling member disposed between the transport member and the transfer member to position the receptacles on the transfer member with their long sides extending in substantially radial manner.

Abstract: A sample-contained container corking-up method of the present invention comprises a first step of holding each stopper supplied from a stopper supply means by a stopper holder and opposing an inserted portion of the stopper to the open top of the container which is supported at its corked-up position, a second step of pushing the inserted portion of the stopper, which has been opposed to the open top of the container by the first step, into it to a first predetermined position, while holding the stopper at a certain state by the stopper holder, a third step of releasing the stopper holder from the stopper and retreating the stopper holder to its waiting position after the stopper pushing operation conducted by the second step, and a fourth step of further pushing the inserted portion of the stopper into the container to a second predetermined position, deeper than the first one, while leaving the stopper holder retreated to the waiting position by the third step.

Abstract: A bucket lidding system for placing rotationally oriented lids on unlidded buckets being conveyed on a conveyor and subsequently seating the lids onto the buckets. A lid conveyer introduces to the system a vertical stack of bucket lids wherein each lid has a fitting. After the entire stack of bucket lids is raised such that a top lid of the stack is positioned at a selected height, a mechanism lifts and holds the top lid and transports that lid to a position over another conveyer where a lidless bucket is being conveyed. During this lid transportation, the held lid is being rotated under a fitting sensing sensor, which instructs the lid rotation to be stopped when the lid has a desired rotational orientation with respect to the lidless bucket. When a sensor senses the bucket on the bucket conveyer means, the oriented lid is released and drops a short distance onto the bucket.

Abstract: Method for angularly positioning an axially asymmetrical sealing device relative to a flexible tube for dispensing a substance with a liquid-to-pasty consistency. A neck of the tube supports the sealing device and dispenses the substance through a dispensing channel. The tube is provided with indicia relative to which the sealing device is located on the tube. The tube is adapted to be filled via its open bottom with the sealing device in place and then sealed by flattening and heat sealing its end opposite the neck. The tube also includes at least one reference marking and the sealing device is located on the tube relative to the reference marking, this reference marking being printed on the tube concurrently with the indicia. The reference marking is also used when squeezing and heat sealing the open end of the filled tube.

Abstract: The bases and caps are aligned in two stages, with displacement by first pointed pushers (13-31) into corresponding calibrated horizontal channels (12-29) followed by displacement by second pushers (21-44) into corresponding calibrated vertical and descending channels (312-329). The second pusher (21) pushes the bases horizontally into the wider terminal part (20) of the descending channel, where the base is sucked by its sealed end and inserted into the corresponding supporting socket (1), with a vertical disposition and with the opening upwards. The second pusher (44), operating with the caps, acts on the intermediate parts of these with a point (144) which causes the caps to rotate with the opening downwards and transfers them with a vertical disposition into the wider terminal part (42) of the descending channel where the cap is held by a suction tube (46) which inserts it into the corresponding supporting socket (2).

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: The apparatus has a circular can filling device, a lid star wheel, a lid supply star wheel and a sealing device. The sealing device is spaced from both the filling device and the lid supply means but the path is very short. The lid star wheel and the can filling device for filling the containers or cans have a common contains transfer area, in which the lids are individually placed on the cans. In order to transport the cans with the lids thereon to the sealing device, a conveying unit is provided, which has two container guides, between which the containers are guided to the sealing device by the conveying unit.

Abstract: An improved generally concave body (bell attachment) is disclosed for applying a vacuum to conventional canning jars. Like the prior art, the bell attachment fits over the jar top and a placed flexible lid for sealing the jar and seals to the top of the jar at the jar sealing rim. Unlike the prior art, the top locates with respect to the thread on the jar to limit the penetration of the top of the bell over the top of the jar and to define clearance between the bell and lid. This clearance sets forth a small distance of vertical excursion between the captured flexible lid and the top of the bell. Preferably, a system of peripheral and overhead grooves are provided in the interior of the bell so that the flexible top may be guided into sealing registry with the jar top while still maintaining a free passage for the evacuation of gas interior of the jar to an evacuating connection communicated to the bell.

Abstract: A chuck apparatus for threading a cap having a spout onto a bottle has a chuck with opposing gripping jaws for gripping the cap; a chuck rotating assembly for rotating the chuck to thread the cap on the bottle; a shaft connected with the chuck and an assembly for epicyclically rotating the shaft about a central axis; a raising and lowering assembly for raising and lowering the chuck out of and into engagement with the cap; a coupling rotatably connected with the shaft, and a cam assembly for raising and lowering the coupling; a spout alignment assembly for maintaining the spout at a first predetermined orientation with respect to the bottle while the chuck is rotated to thread the cap on the bottle, and including a saddle for engaging the spout, and a rod extending coaxially and rotatably through the shaft, for supporting the saddle above the gripping jaws in the first predetermined rotational orientation; and a chuck aligning assembly for aligning the chuck in a second predetermined orientation with respect

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: The present invention relates to a positioning means and a press-sealing means. The positioning means includes a jig, a base and an elevating apparatus. The jig includes a plate-like element and a placement hole formed therethrough. It holds an upper portion of a container and adjusts the proper position of the container. The base holds a plurality of jigs and rotates by regular angular amounts, varying each jig's position with respect to a container. The elevating apparatus moves the base between a top position, where the jig holds a container and its top surface touches the undersurface of a pair of rails, and a lowest position, where its upper surface is positioned below the undersurface of the container. The base may include a polygonally-cylindrically shaped block, each surface thereof is flat and holds a jig, a framework that secures the block horizontally by a horizontal axis, and a rotating element that rotates the block by regular angular amounts.

Abstract: The apparatus for applying closures to containers having a neck which is inclined with respect to a vertical axis of the containers comprises: a first conveyer and a second conveyer for transferring the containers in succession. A closure application conveyor receives containers from the first conveyor and transfers them to the second conveyer. The closure application conveyor is provided with a plurality of clamps for gripping the containers arriving from the first conveyer, and is provided with a plurality of closure application heads whose respective lines of action are inclined with respect to a vertical axis. Actuation devices are provided which rotate the clamps in both directions about the vertical axes of the related containers in order to align the axes of the necks with the lines of action of the respective closure application heads.