Abstract: Freshly filled containers (such as cans for confinement of carbonated beverages which are admitted at an elevated pressure) are overlapped by caps or other suitable closures not later than at the point where they leave the filling unit of a combined filling and capping apparatus. The closures are maintained in alignment with and are pressed against the open tops of filled containers during advancement from the filling unit to the capping or sealing unit. This ensures that the confined liquid cannot be affected by atmospheric air and cannot escape from the respective containers irrespective of the distance of the filling unit from the capping or sealing unit.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus closes a standard barrel by picking up a lid, positioning it in the correct position above the barrel, pressing the lid onto the barrel, picking up a clamping ring, placing it in its spread-open state around the barrel top, and locking the clamping ring so as to retain the lid. The manipulating apparatus can also be used to open a closed barrel by moving a pivot member beneath the clamping lever of the clamping ring, rotating the pivot member to unlock the clamping ring, gripping the clamping ring, removing it while it is spread open, depositing the clamping ring at some convenient location, gripping the lid, removing the lid from the barrel, and depositing the lid. The manipulating apparatus is provided with three support arms (3-5) which form a support unit (1) which is movable horizontally and vertically by a guide unit (28) together with a central carrier (2) which projects beyond the support arms.

Abstract: The apparatus for closing containers with a sealing lamina comprises a framework for supporting a first conveyor belt for feeding containers to be closed, which is connected to a heat-welding unit and to a second conveyor belt for removing the closed containers. The apparatus has a pusher element which can engage a plurality of containers. First actuation means act on the pusher to move it from a position of engagement of the containers to a position of disengagement therefrom, and second means move it along an axis which is parallel to the direction of advancement of the containers.

Abstract: An automatic lid dispensing and applicator arrangement for an automated drinkmaker machine. The lidding arrangement automatically separates lids from a stack of lids and applies the separated lids onto cups. A large supply of lids is maintained in a rotatable lid supply carousel. A lid shuttle is positioned adjacent the bottom of a lid dispenser, and is supported for linear translating and reciprocating movement between retracted and extended positions. The lid shuttle supports a lid engaging member designed to engage a first bottommost lid of the stack of lids and to retain the first bottommost lid in a first intermediate position in the lid shuttle while the lid shuttle is moved in translation to its extended position. The lid shuttle is then moved in translation to its retracted position, during which the first lid is moved within the lid shuttle to a second loaded position therein beneath a lid applicator supported by the lid shuttle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a flat lid with a lower layer of heat bondable material onto the upper, generally flat surface of a flange extending around the periphery of an access opening in a container of the type used to store a substance susceptible to deterioration when exposed to atmosphere for a prolonged time such as prepared foods, which method and apparatus moves a separate and distinct heating unit with a downwardly facing heating ring in a preselected path, preferably circular in shape, between first and second positions, includes a generally fixed high frequency power supply for energizing said heating ring, connects this fixed high frequency power supply to the individual heating rings of the moving heating unit only when the unit is moving between the first and second positions, and energizes the power supply only while the heating unit is moving between the first and second positions.

Abstract: This invention, as herein illustrated, is for delivering caps in succession, one at a time, to a distributor for application to the tops of containers. There is an end wall at the bottom of a chute against which the bottom cap in the pick-off position abuts. The force against the bottom cap is reduced by providing a bent portion near the lower end of the chute.

Abstract: A device for sealing two-piece capsules has a capsule carrier and a capsule holder which are movable relative to one another for the purpose of attaching a cap to a capsule body. In order to bond a cap firmly and tightly to the body of a capsule, the device has a nozzle for applying a viscose sealing material to the inside of the cap. To prevent an excess of sealing material from being applied to the cap, the nozzle is provided with a vacuum mechanism in the form of an annular channel by means of which excess sealing material is removed during the application.

Abstract: The method and machine according to the invention allow the closing of containers, particularly pots and small trays for food products. The method consists successively in separably fixing a strip of closure material (1) on a support strip (2), the closure material strip comprising pre-cutouts (4) defining lids (5) for closing the containers (6), separating from the support strip (2) the portion (10) of the closure material strip (1) which is situated externally of the lids (5), fixing a lid (5) on each of the containers (6) and separating the support strip (2) from each of the lids (5) fixed on the containers (6). The machine according to the invention comprises a supply station (7) for delivering a complex formed by a closure material strip (1) fixed separably to a support strip (2), a separation station (9) for separating from the support strip (2) the portion (10) of the strip (1), and a recovery station (12 ) for receiving the support strip (2).

Abstract: A container lid positioned atop a filled container is sealed to the top of the container by a vertically reciprocable sealing device engageable with the container lid, the container and lid being positioned on yieldable structure so as to avoid damage to the sealing apparatus or to the container being sealed which might occur due to the thrust of the sealing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a relatively flat object from a work station along a transfer path includes an upper tooling within the work station for locating the object in a ready position by causing an upper surface of the object to adhere to the tooling. The object is thus unsupported along its lower surface. A manifold forming an orifice is located adjacent to and directed toward the ready position, and is connected to a source of compressed gas. A valve initiates and discontinues flow of pressurized gas through the orifice. A control system controls the valve to direct a stream of pressurized gas through the orifice when an object is located in the ready position, thereby causing the transfer of the object in free flight from the work station.

Abstract: A capping machine in which open containers are successively brought to a capping station where a respective container is held against rotation to permit closing of the open container by rotating movement of a cap fed from a reservoir to a pick-up station; a head frame assembly of the machine includes a spindle assembly carrying a chuck at the lower spindle end and drivingly connected by way of an adjustable clutch and by way of a positive drive connection with a driving motor; additionally, the spindle assembly includes a double-acting pneumatic cylinder to cause reciprocation of the spindle in its axial direction; the various components of the head frame assembly are balanced about a pivot shaft on which they are mounted for pivot movement in unison so that the actuating force for pivoting the head frame assembly can be kept relatively small; in operation, the head frame assembly is pivoted from a capping position where the chuck is in alignment with the open end of the container, into a pick-up position whe

Abstract: The machine works on cases, or upon groups of one or more cases, by effecting an inward-folding operation on the end flaps which fold on the top edges of the transverse side pieces of every case, subsequently effecting a downward-folding operation on the flaps which fold on the end flaps, and gluing the latter to the wings of the longitudinal side pieces of the case so that the machine itself subsequently positions a corresponding lid blank on the case, centering the former both longitudinally and transversly in relation to the case, glues the central portion of the lid blank to the end flaps, folds the side portions of the lid blank until they come into contact with longitudinal side pieces of the case, and finally glues the side portions to the longitudinal side pieces.

Abstract: This specification discloses a capping device having a cap for capping orifices for discharging liquid, and a moving structure for moving the cap, wherein a plurality of engaging members each have an engaging portion adapted to be engaged with a protrusion during the capping, and a releasing structure for moving at least one of the engaging members and releasing the capping. The specification also discloses a liquid injection recording apparatus provided with such capping device and a pump device for generating a pressure utilized to such the liquid from the orifices through the cap, a protrusion being provided in operative association with the movement of a member for effecting the pumping operation of the pump device.

Abstract: A continuous motion in line sealer assembly includes a sealer star wheel which is coordinated with a plurality of rotatable and receiprocable vacuum heads. Each vacuum head obtains a flexible foil sealing disk from a point of supply and positions the disk atop a container. The vacuum head and container then pass through an induction tunnel to activate a heatable adhesive. A pair of stationary cam plates control both the reciprocal motion of the vacuum head as well as providing it with a dwell time which momentarily interrupts its continuous motion to facilitate sealing disk acquisition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for squaring up the sides of a bulk shipping container and for forming a paperboard cover over and securing it to the upper end of the container.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus for simultaneously filling all containers in a group of containers with a desired volumetric quantity of liquid. A lead group of containers is separated from a line of unfilled containers received by the apparatus. The group of containers is sequentially subjected to a filling operation and to the application of sealing caps, followed by the discharge of the resulting group of filled and capped containers from the apparatus. Each group of containers is supported during the filling and capping operation for proper orientation of the fill openings.

Abstract: A plug driving apparatus comprising an annular rotary receiver stand for receiving containers, the receiver stand having container placing portions disposed at a plurality of locations thereon in circular arrangement, plug driver heads disposed individually above said placing portions, each of the heads having a sucker portion for sucking and retaining thereon plugs, a plurality of plug pick-up means, each having a retractable hooked portion adapted to be extended to and retracted from a point right beneath the plug driver head, fixed plug-feeder means for feeding plugs to the hooked portion, the plug driver head being adapted to be raised and lowered between an intermediate position where the sucker portion thereof sucks and retains thereon a plug held in the hooked portion and a lower position where plug driving operation is carried out and an upper limit of movement of the driver head.

Abstract: An acoustic enclosure is provided having top, bottom, front, side and back panels formed to receive and enclose the face plate and chute of a crowner machine. Acoustically absorbant and cleanable material is disposed on the interior surfaces of the side portions to absorb sound produced at the crowner face plate and chute, and the edges of the enclosure abutting the crowner machine include a material for creating a seal therebetween to further reduce the sound level in the immediate area.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for effecting movement of one or more operating devices such as capper chucks through a predetermined endless path having a straight line reach parallel to a conveyor on which containers or the like may be conveyed, the system including a fixed turret defining the endless path and being adapted to support and guide one or more devices along the endless path and having drive means cooperative with each operative device so as to effect constant speed movement of the devices along the straight line reach and, in a preferred embodiment, also effect rotation of the devices about their longitudinal axes as they traverse the endless guide track.

Abstract: An improved manifold for feeding plunger caps in an apparatus for filling caulking tubes with liquid compositions in the manifold plunger caps feed means comprising a central feed chute and six more or less chutes coming from said central feed chute imparting horizontal travel of caps and where said central feed chute and said six more or less chutes at the point where they meet are in a vertical plane and said chutes gradually slope from a vertical plane into a horizontal plane at the point where each of the chutes meet the cap receiver means which positions the plunger caps on the back of the filled caulking tubes wherein none of the chutes has a width that is as wide as two diameters of the plunger caps. Preferably, the central feed chute and the drop chutes where they meet the central feed chute are as wide as the 11/8 plunger cap diameter for the vertical drip and the chutes are as wide as 11/8 plunger cap diameter for the horizontal travel in the drop chutes.

Abstract: Packaging method and apparatus for depositing a predetermined number of sheets, such as bookplates, in a rectangular box bottom having a bottom wall and four upstanding side walls, placing a box top of the same shape but slightly larger size over the box bottom and applying a label to the box top. The box bottoms are conveyed past a loading station at which a predetermined number of bookplates are "extruded" through a slot in a front wall of a hopper, with the height of the slot being adjusted as desired to allow just the desired number of bookplates to be pushed or extruded through it to a box bottom positioned opposite the loading station. As the loaded box bottoms move past the loading station they are intersected by the box tops which move at right angles to the box bottoms and, just before each box top meets a box bottom, the box top leading edge is lifted by means of a suction so that it clears the side wall of the box bottom.

Abstract: A positioning and placement device for the application of square covers to square containers which device basically includes a cover supply section for maintaining a supply of covers, a positioning and registration section to provide individual covers in proper relation to the square containers which are being moved thereunder and an application section which is arranged to remove the cover from the positioning and registration section and forceably engage the cover with a container as the same is being moved therepast in a manner to insure sealing therebetween on all edges thereof. The device particularly includes unique positioning and registration means for locating the covers with respect to the containers and unique placement means which not only forces the covers properly onto the containers but which also removes the covers from the registration and positioning section.

Abstract: An automatic machine is provided for partially filling a cylindrical vial having one open end with a liquid, inserting a plug into the open end and fitting a cap onto the open end. The machine includes two turrets. Each of the turrets has a plurality of notches in the periphery thereof, the notches each being sized and shaped for receiving a respective one of the vials in an orientation with the open end of the vial directed upwardly. A filling station for partially filling the vials with a liquid is associated with the first turret. The vials automatically transfer from the first turret to the second turret. Respective stations for plugging and capping the vials are associated with the second turret.

Abstract: A capping machine of the rotary type for closing filled bottle type packing containers for beer or other liquids which are made from a plastic material includes a lower wheel on which the bottles to be capped are placed and an upper wheel which supports closing rams which are movable vertically towards and away from the bottles by means of a cammed track. Caps loaded into a magazine are transferred one by one to the rams as the wheels turn, and the bottles are capped as the ram moves downward onto the bottle mouth.

Abstract: A device for mounting an independently formed closure upon an open-topped container wherein the container is stabilized by contents to constitute a stationary die, and with a forming die provided above said container for reciprocal movement toward and away from same. Said forming die contains a flat under surface for directing a flat closure upon the open upper end of said container and retaining same against inadvertent displacement; there being roller elements carried on said forming die for travel beneath the normally lower end thereof to direct marginal portions of the closure against said container and to hold same in such position to permit previously applied adhesive material to set.

Abstract: An automatic stoppering apparatus for bottles and the like having threaded necks with matching threaded stoppers is adapted upon feed of the bottles into the apparatus wherein they are carried on and by a generally vertically disposed rotating drum to screw the stoppers into sealing engagement with the bottles during rotation of the drum and before discharge of the bottles by means of associated rotatably and vertically movable stopper grasping and attaching heads that cooperate with the rotating drum in operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Interchangeable internally gripping chucks for use in a machine applying non-rotative closures to containers, the machine having a multi-station rotary turret arrangement for receiving the containers from a feed conveyor. Each chuck is attached to a spindle in the rotary turret and includes spring loaded jaws for gripping a closure and seating it into or onto the upper portion of a container. The jaws are respectively biased radially outward by the spring loading means, and as the chuck descends and engages the inner edge of the closure, the jaws slip to grip the closure for pick-up and transport to the capping zone. The chuck further includes a releasing mechanism which is activated upon a "bottoming-out" of the chuck upon the top of the container. The releasing mechanism forces the jaws radially inward, disengaging them from the closure so that the chuck can be upwardly retracted from the closed container without any tendency to withdraw the closure, even when the closure has a loose fit.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and sealing filled containers with a lid includes instrumentalities for positioning an individual lid beneath a sealing die which has an underside. The lid is temporarily held and finally joined to a container under the influence of heat and pressure. Suction is used to hold the lid against the underside of the die while it is being joined to the container. A plurality of protuberances are disposed at the underside of the sealing die. Each of the protuberances has an oblique surface. Each oblique surface has a point lying nearest a sealing surface defining an area of the underside, the area thus defined being substantially equal to that of the lid. Each lid can be consequently positioned correctly on a container and becomes fused therewith.