Separate Closure Applying Patents (Class 53/287)
  • Patent number: 9878890
    Abstract: A universal container capper/decapper includes a capper/decapper assembly, and an axial actuator. The capper/decapper assembly comprises a capper/decapper housing, and at least one gripper arm. The capper/decapper housing has an axis of rotation. Each gripper arm has a driven end, a gripper end, and a knee portion intermediate the driven end and the gripper end. Each gripper arm is pivotally coupled to the housing proximate the knee portion. The axial actuator is coupled to each driven end and is configured to drive each gripper end in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation by rotating each gripper arm about the respective knee portion relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Sergey Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 9594007
    Abstract: Sample preparation device for receiving in sealing relation one or more filter assemblies and one or more sample containers, each container uniquely positioned within the device to receive filtered sample from a designated filter. The device includes a body, a lid disposed on the body, a container tray, a base, an integrated seal on the body, a valve and a valve actuator. The tray can be disposed in a vacuum chamber defined by the lid and the body, and one or more sample containers can be disposed in the tray. When properly positioned in the tray in the vacuum chamber, each container is in fluid communication with a single respective filter assembly disposed in sealing relation in a respective aperture in the lid. A single actuation of a valve to place the vacuum chamber under vacuum causes the lid to seal to the base and drives the simultaneous filtration of a plurality of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Scott, Rob Colonna, Christopher Barmore, Todd Taylor, Daniel Morgan
  • Patent number: 9162825
    Abstract: A machine with a series of three operating stations, of which the first station arranges the full trays in a predetermined pattern while the second station closes the full trays with a film and in which the third station discharges the full trays. The stations are equidistant from each other. A transfer structure has combs that have a length such as to occupy simultaneously two consecutive such stations and that are provided with the teeth that can grasp the trays, lift the groups of trays and then move longitudinally to transfer the groups of trays from one station to the next, then lower the tray to deposit the groups of trays in the new stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: GRUPPO FABBRI VIGNOLA S.p.A.
    Inventor: Massimiliano Vaccari
  • Publication number: 20150107190
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing one or more products in need of closure. The apparatus comprises a vessel including an inlet for receiving the one or more products and an outlet for discharging the one or more products under sterile and/or pyrogen free conditions. A device is also adapted for applying the closure to the one or more products in the vessel, along with the optional filling and/or weighing of the products before or after applying the closure. Related apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Jean-Pascal Zambaux
  • Patent number: 8935902
    Abstract: A guide track associated with a capping machine, including a capping head that is adjustable to fit the different formats of bottles. The track has, upstream from and adjacent to the capping head, a telescopic portion having a section rigidly connected to the capping head and movable with the latter, and a stationary section rigidly connected to a general frame. The telescopic portion of the guide track for caps includes side walls, the surface of which is smooth, regardless of the position of the stationary section and the movable section in relation to one another. The stationary section and the movable section are transversely shifted, and guided with regard to one another, by a runner system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Emmanuel Roth
  • Patent number: 8915047
    Abstract: A beverage bottle closing machine being configured and disposed to close tops of filled beverage bottles with screw-type and other caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Wilhelm, Thomas Schneider, Igor Singur
  • Patent number: 8893459
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing containers includes a supplying device for supplying a closure element to a container. The supplying device includes a cap detecting system that records a random position of the closure element and is designed to hold the closure element in the random position and to convey it in a circumferential direction while maintaining it in this random position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Peter Hecktor, Marius Michael Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20140331618
    Abstract: A method for capping vessels containing biological samples is described providing a cap supply with a plurality of caps for the vessels within compartments in a predefined geometrical arrangement. The cap supply is introduced through an interface into a preanalytical system including a housing, and is reversibly docked to a feeder for inserting the cap supply into the preanalytical system and retrieving it therefrom. Subsequently, a cap is retrieved from the supply by a robotic manipulator, and transported to a workstation holding the vessels. A vessel is then capped using the manipulator. The steps from introducing the cap supply into the preanalytical system to capping a vessel are repeated a certain number of times or until all caps of the supply have been retrieved. Finally, the cap supply is retrieved from the preanalytical system. A preanalytical system and a cap supply for capping vessels containing biological samples is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Guggisberg, Christian Kaelin
  • Patent number: 8869496
    Abstract: A device for filling containers with liquid may include a first transport, which transports a plurality of containers through a filling chamber. The filling chamber may include a sterile space. A plurality of treatment members may be arranged in the filling chamber for treating the containers, with at least one of these treatment members being a filling member which fills the containers with the liquid. The first transport may be designed in such a way that it transports the containers through the filling chamber in a cyclic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Roland Laumer, Johann Justl
  • Publication number: 20140290188
    Abstract: A tray sealer and related method for sealing trays with a lid film wherein the trays may comprise several sealing planes that may be inclined with respect to each other. The tray sealer may include a tray seat and an upper sealing part operably disposed therein. The tray seat may comprise a circumferential tray edge support for supporting a tray edge of a tray. The upper sealing tool part may comprise a cutting facility and a circumferential sealing member for sealing a lid film onto the tray edge along a sealed seam. The tray edge support may include at least one first region with a first support plane and a second region with a second support plane. The first and second support planes may be orientated at an incline relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Multivac Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Mader
  • Publication number: 20140182245
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tray-sealing machine with a control unit and a matrix monitoring device for detecting a misalignment of a tray in a sealing tool bottom part and/or the presence of foreign matter between the sealing tool bottom part and a sealing tool upper part, and for distinguishing this from product projecting from the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMÜLLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Alireza Taghipour
  • Publication number: 20140174028
    Abstract: An automatic analyzer of the present invention includes: a cap opening and closing mechanism including a plurality of types of support bodies, each being adaptable to a specific type of cap; an information control mechanism for sample containers; a cap opening and closing mechanism that performs uncapping and capping operations based on a sample container identifying process; and an uncapping/capping monitoring mechanism that determines an uncapping or capping operation. The cap opening and closing mechanism is thus configured so as to be capable of performing the uncapping and capping processes for different types of caps. This provides a cap opening and closing mechanism that enables the single cap opening and closing mechanism to perform the uncapping process and the capping process for different types of caps on a transfer path of sample containers in the automatic analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI HIGH-TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiki Yamagata, Kenichi Takahashi, Takahiro Sasaki, Shigeki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8756902
    Abstract: The container has a bottle-like shape and is made of thermoplastic material. The container is provided with a mouth section which has a fixing ring (3) on the outside. The pre-form is provided for the production of such a container. Both the pre-form and the container produced therefrom are designed without any supporting ring. In order to enable handling, an associated holding device (12) acts on a fixing ring (3) of the pre-form or the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Alfred Drenguis
  • Publication number: 20140137512
    Abstract: A system for feeding container closures to a capper (which can be part of or separate from the system) in a beverage filling plant comprises a sorter, an elevating conveyor and an inspection device, where the inspection device is disposed before the elevating conveyor, which enables better access to locations where faults can potentially occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Krones AG
    Inventors: Klaus Buchhauser, Sebastian Klepatz, Markus Schoenfelder
  • Patent number: 8720165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing syringes. Said method comprises fixing a needle to a syringe body by use of an adhesive followed by subjecting the syringes thus obtained to heat treatment. The invention further relates to a method of reducing leachables and/or extractables in prefilled syringes, said method comprising heat treating pre-fabricated syringes at a temperature of at least 40° C. before filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hexal AG
    Inventor: Peter Skufca
  • Publication number: 20140123607
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a three-panel lidding device used to seal a food container. Such devices are particularly useful for covering and sealing a plastic food container, eliminating (or diminishing) the need for an outer carton and the clear film membrane that traditionally covers a food container. The lidding device may contain all brand identifiers, product messaging, ingredient list, instructions (e.g., opening and cooking) printed directly on the device. The device may also allow for venting of the food container during cooking and may then be removed for serving. The device may further provide a foot panel that allows the food product container/lidding device to sit upright, enhancing store front and freezer display options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Rock-Tenn Shared Services, LLC
    Inventors: John Valencia, Patrick Shields, Thomas Edward Zappa
  • Publication number: 20140096482
    Abstract: A container-closing machine includes a central supporting column, a manipulation unit connected to the central supporting column, and a direct drive disposed between them. This drive produces reciprocal relative motion. The central supporting column defines an interior space containing the stator. The manipulation unit has a ring that defines an interior space with the rotor disposed therein. The ring and the column share a common axis of rotation that defines a radial plane perpendicular thereto along which the rotor and stator lie opposite each other and separated by a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Igor Singur
  • Patent number: 8689525
    Abstract: A machine (M) for filling and capping vials (F), comprising, arranged in a cascade fashion: a supply station (1) of empty vials (F); an Archimedes screw (2) having a rotation axis parallel to a longitudinal development of the machine (M), supplied with the vials (F) in arrival from the supply station (1); a device (D) for disengaging a predetermined number of vials (F) from the screw (2), activated in phase relation with the screw (2), and for transferring the vials (F) transversally; a comb conveyor (3), step-moved and designed to receive the predetermined number of vials (F) from the device (D); a filling station (6, 7), designed for introduction of a liquid solution contemporaneously into a plurality of vials (F); a capping station (10, 11) for contemporaneously sealing a plurality of vials (F); an outlet zone (U) for conveying the vials (F) out of the operating line of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Publication number: 20140069062
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: GENESIS PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: F. William Bogle, Richard Spencer
  • Publication number: 20140053503
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing a sample container with a spherical closing element, wherein the device has a storage container for a plurality of spherical closing elements, ejecting means for ejecting one of the closing elements through a discharge opening in a housing of the device, and means for limiting the forces exerted by the ejecting means on the closing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Simons, Dirk Leber, Harald Quintel, Bruno Walder, Andreas Bretscher
  • Patent number: 8640432
    Abstract: A mixing, processing, sealing and bottling machine for substances used to prepare cosmetics is provided. The machine is driven by external means and includes a cabinet, where command panels are externally placed and a bottling station. The devices are used by a user to prepare cosmetics and related products comprising chemicals or natural substances prescribed in personal formulas originating from prescriptions from professionals or pre-programmed formulations. The machine can be connected to a printing device for printing the formula or recording means for recording the formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ana Lúcia Schmidt Lourenço Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20130333325
    Abstract: A closer for containers, in particular bottles, with a closing head acting in a clean room and with an electric motor comprising at least one rotor and at least one stator, with the closing head connected with the rotor, and an element for clean room separation is formed between the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Markus Schoenfelder, Stefan Poeschl
  • Patent number: 8596030
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing containers with closures comprising a closing head (2) that attaches the closures to the containers, wherein said closing head (2) can be moved relative to the closures with a first movement type and is arranged within a sterile space (8) with a first movement unit (4) for producing a movement of the closure with the first movement type, wherein said first movement unit (4) is arranged at least partially outside the sterile space (8), wherein the sterile space (8) is bounded by at least one first wall (12) and the device comprises a ring-shaped channel (14) into which said first wall (12) protrudes, wherein the ring-shaped channel (14) can be moved relative to the first wall (12) and can be filled with a fluid medium, and wherein the first movement unit (4) is arranged within the channel (14) at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Klaus Buchhauser, Guenter Frankenberger
  • Publication number: 20130255200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing station for sealing a cover film onto packaging trays, wherein the sealing station comprises a sealing tool and a bar chain and the sealing tool includes a tool upper part and a tool lower part. The bar chain is configured for conveying the packaging trays into the sealing tool and out of the sealing tool. The invention is characterized in that a tool lower part accommodates the packaging trays in at least a first and a second row, and that the tool lower part includes at least one lowerable supporting disc for lowering at least one of the first and second rows of packaging trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Albert Gabler
  • Publication number: 20130247513
    Abstract: To modify the headspace in a container to remove vacuum pressure, a container has a seal or cap which may provide a temporary opening into the container which is sealable under compression to provide a controlled raising of the internal pressure as the heated contents of the container cools. A sealing chamber (84) may enable the introduction of a fluid into the headspace (23b) to force the fluid level (40) lower. Other methods and apparatus are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: David Murray MELROSE
  • Patent number: 8541037
    Abstract: A packaged bottle beverage has a base component of the beverage in a container wider vacuum separate from an additive in a sealed compartment of an ingredient release closure. Upon opening the sealed compartment, suction is created forcing the additive to quickly and thoroughly exit the ingredient release closure, a region of relatively higher pressure, and flow into the base component in the container, a region of relatively lower pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
    Inventor: James Clayton Bell
  • Patent number: 8424275
    Abstract: A sealed plastic container and a method for producing it are provided. The method for producing the sealed plastic container includes the steps of providing a container body having an end, providing a closure member having a skirt, inserting the closure member into the container body, heating the closure member skirt and container body end, and rolling the closure member skirt top and container end inward thereby fusing the closure member to the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Huhtamaki, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne F. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130067859
    Abstract: A tray sealing machine comprising an upper tool which can be laterally moved out of the tray sealing machine from a working position into a second position for maintenance and cleaning purposes, wherein the upper tool may be pivotable in the second position so as to improve accessibility to a bottom of the tool for maintenance and cleaning. The tray sealing machine may also include a lower tool that can be laterally moved out of the tray sealing machine from a working position into a second position for maintenance and cleaning purposes, wherein the lower tool is additionally pivotable in the second position so as to improve the accessibility during cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8381491
    Abstract: There is provided an improved vial lid fastening device capable of reliably completing lid fastening in a short time. The vial lid fastening device 30 has a lid rotating device 51, a lid placing member 52, 53, a transporting device 55, 56, a first lid body reservoir 115, 116, a vial lid holding and supplying device 57, and a vial discharging device 58. A lid body 3 slides on an inclined flat surface 102 to reach a terminal mechanism part 101, and a stepped section 31 of the lid body 3 engages a stepped section holder 105. The lid body 3 is grasped by chuck claws 35 and is rotated as engaged to the terminal mechanism part 101 of the stepped section holder 105. Then, one of rotation regulating protrusions 28a, 28b of the lid body 3 is allowed to collide with a rotation preventing member 107 of the lid placing member 52. Thus, position determination in a rotation direction is performed with reference to the rotation regulating projections 28a, 28b and such position is maintained fixedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike, Takafumi Imai, Minoru Tano, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Publication number: 20130008133
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tray sealer comprising conveyor belts that can be displaced in a direction transversely to the conveying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Multivac Sepp Haggenmuller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang NEGELE
  • Publication number: 20130000251
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing containers with one of a sealing cap and a screw cap includes an ejector having a function element that returns an ejecting element from an ejection position to an initial position. The function element is formed as a magnetic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Igor Singur
  • Publication number: 20120324839
    Abstract: An automated cap extractor/installer is disclosed comprising a cap access space, a rack and modified pinion, a solenoid actuator and a position sensor. The modified pinion has a flat surface with two edges and the flat surface can be positioned proximate to the cap access space. The modified pinion is in communication with a rack component communicating with a solenoid actuator causing the pinion to rotate. When a capped syringe is positioned in the cap access space, a signal can be sent by the position sensor to the solenoid actuator. The solenoid actuator moves, causing the pinion to rotate and grip the syringe cap. The solenoid actuator and components can be moved vertically and thereby pulling the cap off the syringe. A rotating cam device can be substituted for the modified pinion. The process can be reversed to install the cap on a syringe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Saverio Roberto Strangis
  • Publication number: 20120304597
    Abstract: A universal container capper/decapper includes a capper/decapper assembly, and an axial actuator. The capper/decapper assembly comprises a capper/decapper housing, and at least one gripper arm. The capper/decapper housing has an axis of rotation. Each gripper arm has a driven end, a gripper end, and a knee portion intermediate the driven end and the gripper end. Each gripper arm is pivotally coupled to the housing proximate the knee portion. The axial actuator is coupled to each driven end and is configured to drive each gripper end in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation by rotating each gripper arm about the respective knee portion relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: DYNACON INC.
    Inventor: Sergey Mikhailov
  • Publication number: 20120304598
    Abstract: A slot gripper for removing twistlocks from container fittings or for inserting twistlocks into container fittings, comprising a twistlock receptacle, arranged in a receptacle plate and a tool that locks and unlocks twistlocks arranged in the twistlock receptacle by rotating, is characterized by two clamping jaws extending in the receptacle parallel to the receptacle plate and arranged opposite each other. A first pin extends from the receptacle plate at a right angle at the edge of the receptacle, a second pin is arranged on side of the first pin opposite the receptacle and extends from the receptacle plate at a right angle, and a rope guiding element extends from the receptacle plate at a right angle at the edge of the receptacle. The first pin, the second pin, and the rope guiding element are each supported against the force of a spring and can be lowered in the receptacle plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Rainer Kapelski
  • Publication number: 20120285121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for plugging paint cans, which system is arranged to press a hollow, cuplike, elastic plug (3) provided with a protruding circumferential rim (5) into a hole (2) made in a paint can lid (1) in a sealed manner by means of the plug's (3) shape, whereby the circumferential rim (5) of the plug (3) mounted in place is supported to the surface of the paint can lid (1), the system comprising a storage container (6) for plugs (3); a picker (7) for picking one plug (3) at a time from the storage container (6); a gripper (8) for gripping the plug (3) picked from the storage container (6) and for carrying it above a container lid (1) to be closed; and means for performing a mutual vertical movement of the gripper (8) and the paint can in order for thereby pressing the plug (3) into place in a sealed manner in the lid (1) of the paint can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventor: Pentii Airaksinen
  • Publication number: 20120272623
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging machine with a sealing station for sealing trays with a top film, where said sealing station comprises a sealing tool upper part and a tray carrier for lifting at least one tray to said sealing tool upper part. Said packaging machine according to the disclosure is characterized in that a transport means defines a transport plane for the tray bottom to be transported and is provided within an opening for said tray in said tray carrier in order to transport said tray in the transport plane along said tray carrier. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for operating a packaging machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: MULTIVAC SEPP HAGGENMUELLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Franz Osterrieder
  • Publication number: 20120241042
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to an automated apparatus for filling capped needle syringes. The syringes are held in a rotatable motor controlled carousel. The carousel turns to place a syringe proximate to a dispenser mechanism. A rotatable plate on top of the dispenser mechanism holds an automated cap extractor/installer and at least one inverted vial having a needle perforatable surface. The rotatable plate can also move up and down relative to the top of the dispenser mechanism. The cap can be removed by the automated cap extractor/installer and the rotatable plate rotated to place the inverted vial over the exposed syringe needle. The rotatable plate can descend so that the needle perforates the surface of the vial. A syringe plunger tool of the dispenser mechanism engages the syringe plunger and pulls it downward. The syringe plunger tool can disengage and return to its original position. The rotatable plate can raise to remove the needle from the vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Saverio Roberto Strangis
  • Publication number: 20120227355
    Abstract: A closing tool for a closing machine for placing a closure on a container, where a holding force is applied to the closure by means of a gripping device. In order to obtain a universal embodiment for the closing tool the gripping device is provided with a magnetic actuator, such as with permanent magnets, for applying the holding force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Markus Schoenfelder
  • Publication number: 20120204519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clipping machine and a method for controlling a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products of a constant length loosely filled, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular casing material. The clipping machine comprises a filling tube having a central axis, for feeding a filling material into a tubular casing provided on the filling tube, a displacer arrangement having a first and a second displacer unit for gathering the filled tubular casing and for providing a plait-like portion which is approximately free from filling material, a clipping device for applying at least one closure means to the plait-like portion, a sensing device for sensing the actually filled casing section in order to detect the length of said just filled tubular casing, and a control unit for controlling the clipping machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Tom Mysker, Rolf Hillefeld
  • Publication number: 20120167526
    Abstract: A capping apparatus for a bottle filling device with a capping head main body; a first slide body is located on the capping head main body and can slide up and down; a capping door mechanism is hinged with the capping head main body and the first slide body; a cap sucking head can slide up and down; a middle slide body is arranged between the cap sucking head and the first slide body and can slide up and down; a first spring and a second spring; and a cap inlet chute. A capping system is equipped with a plurality of capping apparatus, the number of the capping apparatus is equal to that of columns of filled bottles, and the cap sucking heads of the capping apparatus are connected together through a connection structure with a mechanism that actuates the cap sucking heads to rise up and fall down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Yonglin Ji, Zhengfa Wang, Mingwei Hu
  • Patent number: 8196375
    Abstract: A tube capper and decapper and method of using the same. The tube capper includes a handheld housing that supports a one-dimensional array of spindles. Each spindle is shaped to receive a cap. A drive mechanism rotates each spindle of the one-dimensional array in unison for capping or decapping a corresponding one-dimensional array of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Matrix Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Kohanski, Daniel J. Seguin, Joseph DiCarlo, Louis Franzini
  • Patent number: 8196371
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cap supply device having a simple and inexpensive structure and which is capable of supplying caps all directed in the same direction. The cap supply device includes: a receiving section 104 for receiving the caps 3; and a discharge unit 106 having an endless member 108 placed in the receiving section 104 and support members 109 provided at the endless member. The discharge unit 106 is configured to lift the caps upward and discharge the caps 3 from the receiving section 104 while the caps 3 are supported at the support members 109 with their openings directed to an opposite side of the endless member 108.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Yuyama
  • Patent number: 8191339
    Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: FHT, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Tribble, Joel A. Osborne, Abdul Wahid Khan, Edward J. Lefebre
  • Publication number: 20110258965
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Gassner GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gassner
  • Patent number: 8020702
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pack for pharmaceutical and/or medical products and/or food supplements, comprising a substrate which is fitted with one or more prefabricated, sealed product carriers which each contain one or more isolated products, for a given length of time, and is provided with instructions for application or administration time for the patient, wherein each product carrier exclusively contains products of a special active ingredient or a special combination of active ingredients in a special dosage, which is distinguished by the fact that each product carrier forms part of a single-strip blister pack that can be rolled up, and the product carriers each containing one or more isolated products are assembled on the substrate individually to the patient. Furthermore the invention concerns a method as well as an apparatus for the manufacture of such packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: AvidiaMed GmbH
    Inventors: Nikolai Strub, Gottfried Von Bismarck, Gerhard Breu
  • Patent number: 7976448
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling a composite box, in two parts, the method being implemented by a machine having: a conveyor system for bringing an envelope into position; a store for storing the blanks of the trays; means in the form of extractor arms for removing one of the tray blanks from the store and bringing it to the assembly station, facing the envelope; a device for gluing the edges of the envelope and the tongues of the tray blank during the movement towards the assembly station; a framework having two mobile carriages, a first carriage carrying a die for shaping the blank, and a second carriage carrying a tappet for driving the envelope towards the die and a stamp maintaining a counter-pressure using a suitable device against the pressing device of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Michel Jannin, Pascal Murano
  • Patent number: 7958703
    Abstract: A positive orientation container and closure combination is provided. The container includes at least one flange segment having a front and a back face. The container further includes a gap defined by the front face of one of the flange segments and the back face of one of the flange segments. The closure includes a plurality of collar segments. The closure includes at least one collar segment having an engagement face to establish a positive orientation of the closure at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret M. Miota, Alan P. Hickok
  • Publication number: 20110131923
    Abstract: A capper used for a great variety of containers and comprising a container carrier, which is adapted to be driven by a capper drive motor for transporting the containers on a lower part, and an upper part, which carries at least one closing element and which is also adapted to be driven by the capper drive motor, the upper part being vertically adjustable relative to the lower part at least for adaptation to different container heights, and where the upper part is vertically adjusted by the capper drive motor, and that a clutch system is provided, which is adapted to be selectively switched between a drive function and an upper-part height adjustment function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Markus Schonfelder, Peter Schwarzfischer, Lutz Kampmann
  • Patent number: 7937907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling and sealing containers, including a filling device for filling at least one container, a sealing device for sealing at least one container and a transport device for conveying at least one fillable container to the filling and locking devices and displacement means for modifying a distance between the filling and locking devices in a transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Fleckenstein, Klaus Blumenstock
  • Patent number: 7908823
    Abstract: It shows a container cover that is generally Shown as (1). The cover comprises an inner portion (2) which stretches over and covers the mouth of a cup A. The inner portion includes a pierceable area (9) for receiving a tube or straw B. The inner portion includes a “teat” of material that is not drawn as tightly over the mouth of the container as the inner portion (2). This allows for a degree of slack in the cover. The inner portion (2) is bounded by an outer portion (3), which can be pulled down the sides of the cup A so securing the container cover (1) in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Melissa Edmunds