By Screwing Closure On Container Patents (Class 53/490)
  • Patent number: 6679026
    Abstract: A device for checking the fitting of a threaded cap onto a container is associated with automatic cap-fitting apparatus, particularly of the carousel type, which includes a rotatable platform which can move at least one container about a principal axis of the apparatus and at least one screwing head for screwing a cap onto a respective container so as to close the container as a result of its movement about the principal axis. Each screwing head is arranged to screw a cap onto a container with a predetermined tightening torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Sergio Cirio
  • Publication number: 20040006951
    Abstract: An anti-rotation method (50, 52, 53, 55), used to hold containers (10) such as beverage bottles, usually after they are filled and while being capped, involves providing a container with a neck portion having an optional lip, where there is a series of interior or exterior notches (22, 30, 40) around the lip (20) or neck portion (16) of the container; contacting the neck portion of the container with a locking plate (24) that has protrusions (26, 40) or indentations (32) that are insertable into or fit around corresponding notches in the container neck or lip, and the plate (24) fits around the container and is connected to a capping machine; and locking the plate such that a releasable anti-rotation clamping action is applied to the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Donald A. Riggs, Bernard A. Winters, Larry W. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20030196418
    Abstract: A one-component seal and wadding system (1) for a screw-cap includes a seal (3) having lower layers (4,5) forming an induction heating sealable system for attaching the seal (3) to the neck of a container, a seal substrate (6) including a free tab (50) lying wholly within the circumference of the seal, a layer of liner (2), and attachment means (10,11,12) including a release layer (11) for attaching the seal substrate (7) including the tab (50) to the wadding (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: David John O'Brien, Victor Sachs, Joseph Smelko, Robert william Thorstensen-Woll
  • Patent number: 6622460
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6619016
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for filling and capping containers, preferably screw top bottles, that are closed with a cap-like closing element preferably a screw cap. The invention achieves a more secure closure and a more hygienic mouth area. The method includes the following steps a) after the filling has been completed, the liquid in the bottles is allowed to foam, with minimized overflow of the foaming liquid, b) a first cap part is applied to the mouth of the bottle to stop the foam, thus forming a sealing fit on the mouth of the bottle, c) when the mouth of the bottle has been sealed by the first cap part, any traces of liquid and/or foam that may remain on the mouth of the bottle are sprayed, off, and d) the actual main cap is applied to the mouth of the bottle, without introducing any additional oxygen into the mouth of the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen un Anlagenbau AG
    Inventors: Siegmar Sindermann, Markus Schaper
  • Publication number: 20030154694
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: FCI, Inc., an Ohio corporation
    Inventors: Michael H. Peronek, Kevin Sweeny
  • Patent number: 6588178
    Abstract: Squeezable plastic tubes which have a flip-top closure cap with a finger recess are provided by a method which aligns indicia on labeling of the tube with the finger recess, the labeling being either a wrap-around label or a label applied on the front and/or back wall of the tube. The indicia is centered on or opposite to a visually desired graphics portion of the label. The closure cap is applied to a collapsible plastic cylinder followed by applying a label such that the indicia is aligned with or opposite to an imaginary surface line which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and passes through the center of the finger recess of the closure cap. The open end of the plastic cylinder, after filling the cylinder with contents to be dispensed therefrom, is sealed in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the center of the finger recess and the longitudinal axis, by alignment of sealing means with the indicia, to form a filled squeezable plastic tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Thatcher Tubes LLC
    Inventor: Ronald E. Kieras
  • Patent number: 6568156
    Abstract: A method for providing a thermally processed commodity in a plastic container. The container is exposed to elevated temperatures to form an—intermediate finish section. A commodity is dispensed within the plastic container. A closure engages the intermediate finish section. The container and the commodity are thermally processed. The finish section being within a predetermined range whereby the finish section and the closure result in retaining a hermetic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Schmalbach-Lubeca AG
    Inventors: Kerry W. Silvers, Timothy J. Boyd, George Calendine
  • Publication number: 20030093972
    Abstract: A post processing cap applicator for applying a cap to a closure spout after erection, spout attachment, filling and sealing of a carton accommodates custom caps. Cartons are conveyed through the applicator in a first forward direction. A cap supply is configured to dispense caps and to position an edge of a cap in a path defined by movement of the closure spout through the applicator. The closure spout engages the edge of the cap. The applicator includes a rotating, torque-applying element and a drive operably connected to the torque-applying element. The drive is operable in a first direction to tighten the cap onto the spout to a predetermined torque and, once the predetermined torque is reached, to stop tightening the cap. A method for post processing cap application is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Hichem Bouraoui, Dave Anchor, Peter Agren
  • Publication number: 20030089086
    Abstract: A bottle support structure and wear plate for use in a rotary capping machine used to apply caps onto the upper threaded neck of a series of plastic containers. The plastic containers have 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. The bottle support structure supports the weight of the bottle as the bottle is being capped be prevent the body and base of the bottle from being deformed or crushed during the capping process. The wear plate is a flat ring rotated in unison with a star wheel about a machine axis. The ring has 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 has at least one elongated bar-like abutment projecting upwardly from the flat surface a given vertical distance. The one or more abutments prevent the bottle from rotating during the capping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: FCI, Inc., an Ohio corporation
    Inventor: Michael H. Peronek
  • Publication number: 20030041568
    Abstract: A closure cap that is particularly suited for use with plastic containers in packaging malt based beverages such as beer and ale includes an upper portion and a generally cylindrical sidewall that depends downwardly from the upper portion. The cylindrical sidewall defines a threaded inner surface, which permits the closure cap to be threaded onto a threaded finish portion of a container. Most advantageously, the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall is stylized to resemble a conventional crown closure. In the disclosed embodiment this is accomplished by molding a plurality of fluted ribs into the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall. A method of packaging a beverage and a packaging assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas M. Seidita
  • Patent number: 6525498
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Etablissements Andre Zalkin
    Inventors: Daniel Zalkin, Laurent Ostrowski, Philippe Matthys
  • Patent number: 6510675
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Polytype S.A.
    Inventor: Felix Strässler
  • Publication number: 20020148205
    Abstract: A screw capper 1 includes a capping head 6 which grips a cap 5, a servo motor 7 which rotates the capping head, a voltmeter 10 which measures the torque of the capping head, an encoder 11 which detects the rotational angle of the capping head, and a control device 8 which controls the servo motor. In the screw capper, when whether rotational fastening is acceptable is to be determined during the rotational fastening, the measured value of the encoder is measured from a predetermined measurement starting point until a rotational fastening completion point, and if the measured rotational angle is in the range of an acceptable decision angle which is set in advance, it is determined that the rotational fastening has been acceptably performed, whereas if the measured rotational angle is not in the range of the acceptable decision angle, it is determined that the rotational fastening is unacceptable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Minoru Takebe, Mitsuru Kasai, Kenichiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6382440
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Brant, Richard Laveault, Thomas P. Hennessy, Chon Tsai
  • Publication number: 20010018820
    Abstract: A capping apparatus 1 includes torque measuring means 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque measuring means 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kitamoto
  • Publication number: 20010011446
    Abstract: A dispenser package for fluent products such as cosmetics and lotions that includes an integrally molded plastic container having a flexible body with a sidewall, a closed bottom, and a top wall having a dispensing opening offset from the axis of the container body. A closure has a base wall and a peripheral skirt. In some embodiments of the invention, the closure is rotatably mounted on the container body, and has a dispensing opening in the closure base wall for selective registry with the dispensing opening in the top wall of the container body. Detent elements are provided on the closure and container body for selectively locking the closure in open and closed positions. In alternative embodiments, the closure includes a flip-top hinged to the base wall, with a plug extending therefrom for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening in the container body top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Craig E. McClean, Robert E. Harman
  • Patent number: 6240708
    Abstract: A container assembly having a container, an insert and a cap. The container has a sidewall extending upwardly to a rim which circumscribes an opening in the top of the container. The insert is located in the opening in the top of the container and is formed of a substantially thin sheet of material. The insert includes an annular lip engaging the rim of the container, a body projecting downwardly from the lip into the container and a tab projecting laterally from the lip away from the body of the insert. The body of the insert has a downwardly extending sidewall which diverges away from the sidewall of said container as it progresses downwardly with the sidewall of the body terminating at a bottom wall. The lip of the insert is sealed to the rim of the container. The cap for the container seats over the opening and includes a downwardly depending skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Haig H. Kassouni
  • Patent number: 6230472
    Abstract: Containers are sterilized by means of a low-pressure plasma and subsequently filled and sealed in a sterilization chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Reudiger Haaga GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 6202872
    Abstract: A composite closure for a container having carbonated contents includes an outer closure cap having a top wall portion, and an annular depending skirt portion. A disc-shaped sealing liner is positioned within the closure cap adjacent the inside surface of the top wall portion. The liner includes an inwardly facing sealing portion at the periphery thereof, and further includes an annular seal bead which projects downwardly from the liner in a direction away from the top wall portion. The closure is configured for enhanced sealing with an associated container, with the top wall portion of the outer closure cap preferably including a relatively thick, peripheral reinforcing region which overlies the annular seal bead of the liner for further enhancing sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Alcoa Closure Systems International
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Smeyak, Michael R. Zurawski, Mark R. Russell, Mark A. Powell, Budan Yao
  • Patent number: 6105343
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Grove, Scott A. McSherry, David W. Liebal
  • Patent number: 6082078
    Abstract: A method is provided for joining a flexible container to a threaded closure. According to the method, a flexible container is inflated with pressurized gas before applying torque to the container. A base of the flexible container is engaged in a container receptacle of a capping apparatus, then the capping apparatus is operated to cause a neck of the flexible container to engage a threaded opening in the closure. The bottle is then inflated and the capping apparatus is operated to thread the neck of the flexible container into the opening in the closure by causing relative rotation between the flexible container and the closure. The pressurized gas stiffens the flexible container and prevents it from buckling or twisting under torque loads applied to screw the container into the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: R & B Machine Tool Company
    Inventors: Lawrence H. Weber, James M. Sheely, J. Robert Corson
  • Patent number: 6044626
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Pneumatic Scale Corporation
    Inventors: Jason E. Harper, Scott A. McSherry, Andrew J. Sobodosh
  • Patent number: 5858141
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a container with a cap and a seal member which is adhered to the neck. The seal member is inserted into the cap before the cap is applied to the neck by moving the cap in an axially downward direction relative to the neck to substantially seat the cap on the neck so that the cap cannot be removed without unscrewing the cap. The seal member is firmly held against the neck by the cap while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In one modification, a pressure application applies a downward directed force to urge the cap against the neck while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In another modification, the cap is tightened onto the neck at a fine adjustment station to eliminate gaps between the underside of the cap and the neck before the seal disc is adhered to the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Repp, Daniel Luch, Anna Absolom
  • Patent number: 5816029
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: FCI, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin M. Sweeny
  • Patent number: 5702017
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Antonin Goncalves
  • Patent number: 5687552
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: John G. Barca
  • Patent number: 5669209
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Thomas Gerret Dewees, Orice Darlington, Jerry A. Volponi, Raymond W. Harold, Kenneth T. Felipe, Lee Griffey, Ronald E. Heiskell
  • Patent number: 5621960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which provides for holding a closure that has threads stationary and rotating the container about its longitudinal axis to apply the closure on the container. Preferably the closure and container are in inverted position. The method of cutting provides for holding the container and closure in inverted positioned, gripping the container and moving a knife transversely of the longitudinal axis of the container to sever the bottom from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Plastic Products Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Kaminski
  • Patent number: 5479762
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Dowbrands L.P.
    Inventor: Gary S. Bliss
  • Patent number: 5415050
    Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for measuring threaded closure application torque that includes a container-shaped enclosure having a threaded finish portion configured to receive a threaded closure. A sensor is disposed within the enclosure and operatively coupled to the threaded finish portion thereof for supplying an electrical signal as a function of torque applied to the finish portion. Electronic circuitry within the enclosure is responsive to such signal for indicating torque applied to the threaded finish portion of the enclosure as a closure is threaded thereon. In use, the apparatus is inserted among containers being fed in succession through a closure application system, such that a closure is applied by the system to the threaded finish portion of the apparatus. The apparatus is thereafter removed from among the containers following application of closures to the apparatus and containers, and closure application torque is determined as a function of electrical signals stored within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Alois F. Trendel, Albert T. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5398485
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: H & K Inc.
    Inventor: John T. Osifchin
  • Patent number: 5321934
    Abstract: A method for capping jars to achieve a seal includes the step of heating the cap prior to placement on the jar. The heated cap is placed on the jar and tightened. The cap and jar are then heated to actuate a seal received in the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Johan N. Bech
  • Patent number: 5321935
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Alcoa Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Spatz, Wolfhard Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5063725
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying closures to containers, and capable of applying stake-on caps having generally rectangular cross-sectional exterior surfaces to container whose bodies are also of the same general cross-section, the parts being delivered in random orientation, and each cap being applied to a container in such a manner that it is in proper orientation with respect to the container when finally assembled. The apparatus includes a turret (54) provided with a non-rotatable cam (108), an interrupted drive gear (114), and an alternate continuous drive gear (124). Mounted on the turret (54) for rotation about the centerline of the turret are a plurality of spindle assemblies (90). When applying a rectangular closure (14) to a container (12) designed to receive the closure in only one position of orientation a novel chuck assembly (130) is employed which has an engagement portion which may be held in one of two detent positions spaced 180.degree. apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Figgie International, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kent, Theodore E. Westbrook, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5054268
    Abstract: Inadvertent rupture of frangible tamper evidencing means during application of threaded closures is reduced by axially pressing the closure partially onto the container, without rotating the closure, until a downwardly tapered retaining means on the closure is engaged by an upwardly tapered locking rib around the container finish. This engagement centers and positions the closure so that the axis of the closure is aligned with the container axis. The closure is held in alignment to prevent cocking or misengagement of the threads until the closure is thereafter turned to tighten it on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Anchor Hocking Packaging Company
    Inventors: Thomas H. Hayes, Charles S. Ochs, Carl E. Koontz
  • Patent number: 5042226
    Abstract: There is disclosed a closure which permits the opening of a membrane sealed nutritional or pharmaceutical product container in a single action motion which also maintains a hermetic seal under retort conditions. This closure includes a generally cylindrical side wall having threads along the inner surface thereof and retaining means for cooperative engagement with the lip of a plastic container, and a top having an annular rim portion and a center portion, with the top having a lower surface attached to a heat-sealable barrier able to be secured to the plastic container, with the top also having a center portion removal means. A method is also disclosed for providing a hermetic seal on plastic containers using the closure and plastic container of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Abbott Labs.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Osip, Jerold W. Montgomery, Paul A. Pezzoli
  • Patent number: 5042228
    Abstract: A method for heating and dispensing hot melt materials in which the hot melt material is contained in a tube having a cylindrical outer surface portion over a majority of its length, and the hot melt material in the tube is heated by a heater assembly through a heat transfer member having a cylindrical inner surface adapted to closely receive the cylindrical outer surface portion of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Walter C. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5012630
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying threaded plastic closures to the necks of containers wherein the containers are moved successively in an upright position and threaded plastic caps are successively applied in loose engagement with the neck of the container and wherein successive independent hold-down forces are provided by independently mounted plates in overlying relation to the path of the containers being transferred to the capping machine and substantially simultaneously a friction force is applied to the sides of the threaded closures by a spring preloaded rail while the successive hold-down forces are applied to rotate the closures and partially thread the closure on the neck of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventors: Keith W. Ingram, Mark J. Schoenlein, Clifford T. Harger
  • Patent number: 4984699
    Abstract: A container and cover combination and method of assembling the same is disclosed. The container and cover combination include a container 12 having a neck portion 20 defining an opening 22 into the container 12. A removeable cover 16 is fastened onto the neck portion 20. The cover assembly includes a tamper evident mechanism for indicating an attempted opening of the cover assembly. The tamper evident mechanism includes a substantially cup-shaped cap member 18 having a fractureable portion 30 and one way threads for locking the cap member 18 against unthreading from the neck portion 20 when the cap member 18 is rotated in one direction relative to the neck portion 20 and for forcing the cap member 18 further onto the neck portion to fracture the fractureable portion 30 when the cap member 18 is rotated in the opposite direction relative to the neck portion 20 thereby evidencing the attempt at opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Gregory J. Zalut
  • Patent number: 4939890
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing rotation of bottles in a capping machine while caps are screwed onto bottle necks with capper heads which develop slight axial forces. An especially configured stationary guide member develops an off-center, mechanical force on the shoulder of the bottle which produces an anti-rotation frictional force at the bottle base while wedging the bottle into frictional engagement with an especially configured neck pocket in the capper star wheel. The guide and neck pocket are shaped to maintain the bottle in axial alignment with the capper head while the cap is started onto the bottle neck which support is removed when the cap is tightened so that the aforedescribed pocket frictional engagement can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: FCI, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Peronek, Robin C. Jones
  • Patent number: 4918903
    Abstract: A process for packaging, especially bottling, a liquid product which will contain a fragrance oil or other material capable of adversely affecting a capping or other package closure operation if said oil or material came in contact with a mating sealing edge thereof, the process comprising sequentially filling the liquid product and fragrance oil or other material into a package, the fragrance oil or other material being added to said package in temporarily bound form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: The Drackett Company
    Inventors: Sylvester Holston, Robert Ziek, William Woodruff
  • Patent number: 4872304
    Abstract: In combination, a container and a linerless cap and a method of forming the cap. In the method the cap is molded from plastic and includes a top well, an outer depending skirt and an internal depending substantially annular wall having an upper end integral with and depending from the top wall and a lower free end. Thereafter the free end is engaged by a curling tool to progressively turn the free end away from the internal wall to curve the free end into a curvilinear compressible and resilient free end adapted to be engaged for sealing. The engageable free end of the seal can have a coil, O, U, J or quarter round cross sectional shape and can be a rim, plug or corner seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4846361
    Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic closure having a tamper-indicating band connected to the closure skirt by rupturable means. The tamper band uses series of solid interiorly projecting beads that come in contact with a transfer bead on the container as the closure is unscrewed. The engagement of the beads and container breaks the band by rupture on the connection means. The beads in the band are arranged in tiers at three different heights on the band. A thick cylindrical section at the bottom of the band assists initial capping. The beads are disposed in the band at an angle equal to the pitch angle of the container threads. This eliminates need for top pressure in capping by the beads following the container thread lowering and driving the beads over the container's transfer bead locking the band in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene F. Haffner
  • Patent number: 4840014
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously producing bottled beverages and closing bottles with caps, each bottle having an externally threaded mouth and having been charged with a liquid product for drinking, the apparatus includes a timing screw for advancing bottles continuously at fixed spatial intervals, each bottle having an externally threaded mouth and having been charged with a liquid product for drinking. An inlet star wheel having a plurality of recesses at the periphery thereof at fixed spatial intervals is provided. The recesses receive bottles with externally threaded mouths that have been conveyed by the timing screw. A cap release applies caps onto the threaded mouths of bottles. A nozzle ejects a stream of a non-oxidizing gas into bottles with the nozzle being situated immediately ahead of the cap release. A capper having a plurality of recesses at the periphery thereof at fixed spatial intervals is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Tsutomu Takehana, Tetsuo Kouzai, Masaaki Sagara, Tamio Yaginuma, Teruji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4830234
    Abstract: A metering pouring stopper comprising two elements of a moldable or injectable material which is at least somewhat flexible. One of these elements comprises a pouring lip which can be fastened to the free end to the threaded neck of the container, while the other element comprises a metering chamber and a threaded skirt to be screwed onto the threaded neck of the container. Since the threads of the necks of containers always have a predetermined, constant angular orientation, the two elements of the stop that can fit into one another have assembly detachable means which make it possible to assemble them temporarily before they are placed onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Astra Plastique
    Inventor: Philippe Odet
  • Patent number: 4811857
    Abstract: A closure system including a cap and a container, the cap having a seal adapted to be deformed by a deformation producing arrangement in the lip of the container which causes the seal to deformed wherein when the cap is moved and the deformation in the seal is no longer aligned with the deformation producing arrangement in the container the seal is broken. Caps and containers included within the system and methods of manufacture and use of the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Tri-Tech Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Mortimer S. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4793122
    Abstract: A tamper-indicating container closure includes a closure member defining container closing expanse, a tamper-indicating element in the closure interiorly of the closure member and times movable with the closure member for both retaining the tamper-indicating element with the closure and for selectively tearing the tamper-indicating element. The movable times are inaccessible through the closing expanse of the closure member and the closure affords visibility therethrough of the condition of the tamper-indicating element.In a typical jar container embodiment, the closure includes a cap having a disc-shaped rupturable telltale interiorly of the cap depending skirt and telltale retaining-tearing times extending from the cap interior surface downwardly into securement with the telltale disc and movable with the cap in the course of its rotative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: TBL Development Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Towns, Edward M. Brown, William M. Lester
  • Patent number: 4773560
    Abstract: A measuring cup closure for a container opening having a screwthread formed on its outside surface. The closure has a spout part which is placeable in the container opening, a pouring spout, and an outer ring formed integrally around the base of the spout part. The outer ring is adapted for surrounding the rim of the container opening from the inside to the outside of the container.The closure includes a measuring cup which is adapted to be screwed onto the container opening over the spout part wherein the aforementioned outer ring of the spout part has a screwthread for screwing the measuring cup thereto. The measuring cup is integrally formed with an encircling ring having an internal screwthread corresponding to the screwthread of the outer ring of the spout part and the screwthread of the container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventor: Peter Kittscher
  • Patent number: 4767016
    Abstract: A liquor bottle capping assembly comprising a perforated member fixedly attachable to the liquor bottle in covering relationship with a threaded opening in the liquor bottle for preventing flame propagation into the liquor bottle; a penetration discouraging device operatively associated with the perforated member for discouraging and providing evidence of penetration of the perforated member as by a hypodermic needle; a sheet fixedly attached to the penetration discouraging device and tearably removably attached to the perforated member for sealing the bottle opening and for providing evidence of tampering with the capping assembly; a cap threadably attachable and detachable on the threaded opening for providing a removable and reattachable closure for the liquor bottle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Adolph Coors Company
    Inventors: Harold Cook, Jr., Bruce A. Moen