Abstract: Automated setup and operation of a container capping machine is achieved by providing motors, each under computer control, to make the necessary adjustments regarding setup and operation, and a plurality of sensors and other devices adapted to send information related to container and cap configurations and machine operation to the computer.

Abstract: Automated setup and operation of a container capping machine is achieved by providing motors, each under computer control, to make the necessary adjustments regarding setup and operation, and a plurality of sensors and other devices adapted to send information related to container and cap configurations and machine operation to the computer.

Abstract: Bottle caps are oriented and delivered in the proper orientation to a bottle capping machine by an apparatus having a rotating disk and radially extending tabs coupled to the disk such that the disks and radially extending tabs cooperate to carry properly oriented caps through a sort zone to an ejector. Improperly oriented caps fall from the disk without reaching the ejector.

Abstract: A conveyor and carriage assembly are synchronized to increase the speed of operation and eliminate any dwell periods to improve the rate at which a linear container filler is able to fill containers with a material. The fill rate approaches or exceeds that of prior art linear and rotary filling machines.

Abstract: A conveyor and carriage assembly are synchronized to increase the speed of operation and eliminate any dwell periods to improve the rate at which a linear container filler is able to fill containers with a material. The fill rate approaches or exceeds that of prior art linear and rotary filling machines.

Abstract: Bottle caps are properly oriented and deposited into a bottle capping machine by an apparatus having a rotating disk which carries caps from a cap receptacle through a sorting zone to a discharge zone. In the sorting zone, improperly oriented caps fall from the disk back into the cap receptacle. Only properly oriented caps are moved by the rotating disk to the discharge zone where such caps are discharged by a discharge plate into the bottle capping machine.

Abstract: A quick-connect mounting apparatus used to join a drive mechanism to a driven mechanism permits rotatable members of the drive mechanism and driven mechanism to be aligned and joined together for proper operation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for insertion of uniquely shaped packaging may include the following elements, (a) a securing mechanism to hold a container along a conveyor in a predetermined location, (b) a transfer device which removes a spray cap mechanism from a second timing screw and aligns the spray cap mechanism over a container opening on the container, (c) a diptube assembly which locks a diptube hanging from the spray cap mechanism, and (d) the transfer device tightening the spray cap mechanism on the container opening after the diptube is inserted into the container opening.

Abstract: A quick-connect mounting apparatus used to join a drive mechanism to a driven mechanism is disclosed. The disclosed invention is particularly useful when the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism have rotatable members that must be joined together for proper operation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus for insertion of uniquely shaped packaging may include the following elements, (a) a securing mechanism to hold a container along a conveyor in a predetermined location, (b) a transfer device which removes a spray cap mechanism from a second timing screw and aligns the spray cap mechanism over a container opening on the container, (c) a diptube assembly which locks a diptube hanging from the spray cap mechanism, and (d) the transfer device tightening the spray cap mechanism on the container opening after the diptube is inserted into the container opening.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements may include one or more of the following steps: (a) transporting a container along a conveyor, (b) securing the container, (c) aligning a spray cap mechanism over a container opening with a transfer rake assembly, (d) grasping a diptube with a diptube assembly, (e) lowering the diptube assembly and the transfer rake assembly to insert the diptube into the container, (f) securing the container with a timing screw, (g) loading the spray cap mechanism into a sprayer magazine, (h) locking a retractable stop onto the spray cap mechanism, (i) transferring the spray cap mechanism from the sprayer magazine to the transfer rake, (j) locking a second spray cap mechanism with the retractable stop, and (k) retracting the diptube assembly after inserting the diptube into the container.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of insertion of uniquely shaped packaging, elements may include one or more of the following steps: (a) transporting, a container along a conveyor, (b) securing the container, (c) aligning a spray cap mechanism over a container opening with a transfer rake assembly, (d) grasping a diptube with a diptube assembly, (e) lowering the diptube assembly and the transfer rake assembly to insert the diptube into the container, (f) securing the container with a timing screw, (g) loading the spray cap mechanism into a sprayer magazine, (h) locking a retractable stop onto the spray cap mechanism, (i) transferring the spray cap mechanism from the sprayer magazine to the transfer rake, (j) locking, a second spray cap mechanism with the retractable stop, and (k) retracting the diptube assembly after inserting the diptube into the container.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus for use in packaging. The device generally uses a guide plate, dome shaped member through which a stream of air flows, and guide bar to reject improperly packaging elements. This apparatus provides an easy way to ensure properly oriented and aligned packaging elements during the automated packaging processes, thereby reducing wasteful and costly errors due to incorrectly aligned packaging elements.