Abstract: Provided is a filling apparatus including: a conveyor line configured to intermittently convey spout-equipped bags, which are suspended so that spouts protruding from one side of the spout-equipped bags, the bags being flat, are located on an upper side and the bags are located on a lower side, in a width direction of the suspended spout-equipped bags on a movement straight line; a printing apparatus disposed in the middle of the conveyor line and configured to print manufacturing information on the suspended spout-equipped bags; and nozzles configured to fill the suspended spout-equipped bags with a liquid material through the spouts. The conveyor line is further configured to convey the spout-equipped bags so that fronts of the spout-equipped bags directly face the printing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relate generally to a tightening mechanism for a bottle filling and capping system, and a bottle neck configuration. More specifically, the invention includes a machine for tightening plastic caps onto the threaded necks of plastic bottles, and bottle neck configuration that facilitates the capping process, both of which result in a simple and effective capping operation. A conveying assembly moves the bottle in a circular path where the neck of the bottle and the cap are brought together by moving the bottle under a cap that is loosely held at a particular elevation and angle by a feeder mechanism. The conveying system constricts the rotational movement of the bottle, and a neck support stabilizes the neck of the bottle vertically, as the cap is pressed onto the neck initially by a roller. A capping station in a bottle filling line is comprised of a spring biased toothed finger that engage the peripheral edge of the caps as the bottles are conveyed through the machine.

Abstract: A capping machine for screwing a threaded cap on a threaded container having a threaded finish, the capping machine receiving the threaded cap from a cap distributor. The capping machine includes a cap guiding element provided above cap screwing belts, both being provided above a conveyor. The cap guiding element is movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cap guiding element is configured for abutting downwardly against the threaded cap when the threaded cap is in register therewith and maintaining the threaded cap in a predetermined attitude for at least part of the screwing process. The cap guiding element moves towards the lower position as the cap screwing belts screw the threaded cap on the threaded container.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a cap-closing apparatus includes, a holding mechanism section configured to be capable of holding a cap which is attached to an opening of a specimen container that is formed to be capable of containing a specimen, a moving mechanism section configured to move the cap, a rotating mechanism section configured to rotate the cap, a torque detector configured to detect a torque at a time of rotation, and a controller configured to control an amount of rotation of the rotating mechanism section, based on the torque detected by the torque detector.

Abstract: The present invention refers no a plant for filling bottles or containers with continuous calibration and to a continuous calibration method of such a plant. The calibration method (100) is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of collecting (110) at least one set of data relating to filling and/or closing parameters of containers or bottles (16) treated through the same tap or filling valve (15) of the filling plant (10) and/or through the same closing and/or capping head (14) of the filling plant (10); based on the data collected, calculating (120) statistical data associated with the tap or filling valve (15) and/or with the closing and/or capping head (14); updating (130) the statistical data based on new data collected and monitoring the progression thereof; in the case of a variation of the statistical data over time, adjusting the tap or filling valve (15) and/or the closing and/or capping head (14) associated with the statistical data so as to compensate for the variation.

Abstract: An automatic, portable water bottle filling apparatus includes an elongated frame that defines a continuous conveying path with opposite first and second ends; a conveyor system that moves bottles along the conveying path; a water filling station adjacent to the conveying path second end that is configured to fill an empty bottle with liquid from the user's water source; a capping station positioned downstream from the water filling station that is configured to close a filled bottle with a cap; a sensor system configured to detect the presence of an empty, uncapped bottle at the water filling station; and a controller that automatically controls operations of the water filling station, capping station and conveyor system in response to signals received from the sensor system.

Abstract: A method of verifying the seating and securing of a closure on a container includes the steps of: (a) positioning a container on a stage of an automated capping station; (b) bringing a closure into contact with the container; (c) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the container and the closure; (d) responsive to step(c), relatively moving the closure and the container if step (c) indicates seating of the closure on the container is proper; and (e) detecting the nature of a physical relationship between the closure and the container to determine whether the closure is properly secured.

Abstract: A cap chute end for capping a plurality of in-line containers in an ambient atmosphere includes a fluid manifold having a plurality of first manifold apertures for injecting a first fluid into the plurality of containers. A fluid shoe is operatively adjacent the fluid manifold and has a plurality of shoe apertures for dispensing a second fluid into the plurality of caps and plurality of containers. A frame that supports the fluid shoe is configured to receive a plurality of caps at a receiving end of the frame. A wiper supported at a dispensing end of the frame has a pair of arms operatively adjacent the fluid shoe. The pair of arms is configured to orient the plurality of caps to the plurality of containers.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for application of a protective covering to an unprotected paper roll in locations without major paper handling equipment is described to provide an inexpensive and portable system for paper roll refurbishing. Apparatus used in the present invention includes: an apparatus for holding the body wrapper supply roll and measuring the unrolled wrapper to a desired length; an apparatus for rewinding and cutting individual wrappers for transport to the point of use; an apparatus for applying the wrappers to the paper roll; an apparatus for transporting the rolls from the resizing area to the wrapping area; and an apparatus for crimping the body wrap over the end of the roll to retain the header; an apparatus for retention of the headers and caps under pressure during curing of the retaining adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for capping in succession containers transported on a conveyance device. The apparatus comprises a cap dispensing station for applying caps on the containers. The cap dispensing station includes a cap release passage, a gating unit and a movable cap ejector. The gating unit includes a barrier, capable to acquire either one of first and second operative positions, and a barrier drive mechanism. In the first operative position, the barrier at least partially closes the cap release passage for preventing a cap from freely travelling through the passage under the effect of gravity. In the second operative position, the barrier uncovers the cap release passage for allowing a cap to pass through the passage. The cap ejector engages the barrier drive mechanism such that the barrier drive mechanism causes the barrier to acquire the second operative position.

Abstract: Container filling systems include a container filling station which fills empty containers with a product, most preferably a frozen dessert. The container filling station will necessarily include a fill valve assembly which has a housing defining a inlet and discharge openings, and a cylindrical spool having a spool port defined therethrough. Preferably, the spool is mounted asymmetrically within said housing for rotation between an open and closed conditions. A container lid supply and transfer system is most preferably employed in the system of this invention and includes a lid supply assembly to provide an available stand-by supply of container lid stacks, a lid feeding assembly for sequentially feeding individual container lids onto an awaiting product-filled container, and a lid transfer assembly for transferring a lid stack from the lid supply assembly to the lid feeding assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially applying panels or row of plastic caps to groups of cans or jars, which comprises: a feeding path for panels of caps, which is arranged above a belt conveyor arranged to feed a sequence of cans, already filled with product and sealed and belonging to a can packaging line; means for blocking each panel of caps at the end of the feeding path; and pressure means for applying each panel or row of caps to a group of cans being fed on the belt conveyor.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the on-demand seating of a lid on pre-formed containers that are carried on a continually moving conveyor. A lid press plate (20) is connected to a linear actuator (36) by a mounting assembly (17). The mounting assembly (17) transmits a seating force from the linear actuator (36) to the lid press plate (20) for seating the lid while simultaneously allowing the horizontal movement of the lid press plate (20) from a first position to a second position by a driving force resulting solely from the application of a seating pressure between the lid press plate (20) and the lid (46). The lid press plate moves at the same velocity as the pre-formed container during application of the seating pressure. The lid press plate (20) is returned to the first position by a biasing assembly (18), after removal of the seating pressure.

Abstract: A capping apparatus, in particular for applying PRESON.TM. style caps to glass jars, comprising a chute with grooved sidewalls to allow free passage of the caps irrespective of tab orientation. At the chute outlet, stops depend from a bridge bar in order to engage the leading cap above its tab, again allowing caps to be presented in random orientation.

Abstract: A capping apparatus including a cap chute which is particularly suitable for applying a press-on twist-off cap having a tamper-evident ring to a container such as a glass jar. The cap chute has a guide extension and profiled components which control the cap so that it is maintained in the correct orientation within both the capping apparatus and during collection by the container.

Abstract: A multi-axis motion controller includes a digital signal processor operable in a standalone mode to run a motion control application program for controlling motion along multiple axes is organized in a shared memory architecture and includes a serial I/O data system with DMA access to the memory for repeatedly moving input and output data directly between the memory and a serial data line. The motion controller may be utilized in connection with a cup lid dispenser for an automated drinkmaker having a pivotable shuttle arrangement for dispensing the bottommost lid in a stack, and a double lid sensor for determining if more than one lid has been dispensed.

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.

Abstract: A system for securely placing threaded caps on threaded containers. The system includes a cap feeding device which facilitates the initial placement of caps on container necks. After initial placement, the cap and container are brought into engagement with a spindle assembly which grips the cap and prevents rotation of the container. The spindle assembly engages a is brought into contact with a rotation inducing device, which causes the tightening of the cap onto the container neck. The chuck of the spindle assembly and the rotation inducing device each have the ability to prevent overtightening of the cap onto the container. In addition, the cap and container are specially configured to facilitate initial placement in a manner which reduces the possibility of misalignment.

Abstract: This relates to a guide for guiding a closure cap onto a container neck finish in a machine for automatically applying closure caps to containers. Most particularly this relates to a guide assembly for closure caps which include a metal shell and a plastic overcap including a tamper indicating band which depends below the metal shell and wherein the closure cap cannot be supported by way of flanges or rails of a track in the normal manner in that the supporting part of the closure cap is subject to deformation and not true and round as in the case of metal closure caps. A lower portion of the conventional track has been replaced by a magnetic cap guide unit which forms an extension of the conventional track and which maintains the position of a closure cap after it has been initially engaged by the neck finish of a container so as to maintain the relationship of the closure cap relative to the container which permits the closure cap being seated square on to the neck finish for final automatic application.

Abstract: The method applies to a receptacle-closing carousel that includes a rotary platform fitted with receptacle holding members and associated with a receptacle insertion member and with a receptacle extraction member. The method consists in cantilevering out a length of heat-sealable strip in the receptacle insertion direction over a sector of the platform that extends between the receptacle extraction member and the receptacle insertion member, relative to the direction of rotation of the platform.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the filling and closing of vessels, preferably of bottles with a liquid, in which vessels filled in a filling means are closed with a closure element with the deformation of the closure element or/and the vessel and with the formation of a sealing press fit between the vessel and the closure element and a device for carrying out the process. The process according to the invention is characterized in that the closure element is affixed with a low sealing pressing pressure to form a sealing press fit in a first closing phase and the final sealing pressing pressure is produced in a second closing phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a can feeding apparatus for a can seamer, in which can bodies are fed to a seaming turret are slid on a plate rail and alongside opposed guides by fingers of a drive chain. The seaming turret or a turret opposed to the seaming turret, or both turrets, are provided with claws at their outer circumferential portions. The claws project radially outwardly of pitch circles of the turrets and these projecting portions have profiles of cycloids so that the turrets will not pierce the can bodies. A plate-shaped magnet and/or a brush are disposed on the guides to steady the can bodies as they are transferred to a can lifter of the seaming turret. Furthermore, the angular position of a conveyor sprocket of the can feed conveyor can be adjusted easily in a short period of time by a phase adjusting device. Still further, in a can lid feeder disposed in front of the can seamer, a can body centering turret is also provided with projecting portions having profiles of cycloids.

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

Abstract: A device for use with a closure magazine of a closing or capping machine for introducing crown corks or similar closures into a closure channel from a chamber that accommodates a plurality of such closures. The closures are conducted in the closure channel in a successive manner and in single file. At least one magnetic conveyor is provided at a transition that is formed partially in the chamber and partially in an entry region of the closure channel. At this transition, the conveyor exerts a conveying effect upon the closures in a first conveying direction from the chamber into the closure channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a cap member to a receptacle or container. The apparatus and method are particularly suitable for use in placing the cap member, including a bail, snugly onto the end of a receptacle adapted to contain a pharmaceutical agent.

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.

Abstract: A movably mounted auxiliary hopper and a platform therefor are provided for discharging small articles contained in the container to a cooperably associated dispensing hopper mounted on the platform, the dispensing hopper being adapted to feed articles in an oriented position to a cooperably associated chute directed to a receiving station. The auxiliary hopper comprises a container having bottom, side and end walls and an open top for receiving a charge of small articles therein, the container being adapted to provide gravity flow of the articles to a discharge end of the container. A U-shaped trough extends from the discharge end of the container and which communicates with the interior of the container.

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: Caps for milk or juice bottles having four screw threads with serrations. The matching threads on the containers also display serrations. The serrations on the caps and the bottles engage each other to prevent their relative rotation to prevent the opening of the closure. An applicator places the cap onto the bottles by first twisting the caps in the reverse direction to properly seat them on the bottle necks. It then reverses the direction to start the closure. The applicator first holds the cap at an angle relative to the horizon and the direction in which the bottles move on a conveyor. As a bottle moves on the conveyor, it engages the lower, tilted edge of the cap. The bottle moving on the conveyor and in contact with the cap overcomes the tension, created by gravity, holding the cap from its location where it awaited the arrival of a bottle.

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.

Abstract: A cap alternator feed device is provided for a capper machine and consists of a mechanism that will prevent deposition of a cap on a raised portion of a container that is at an elevation not lower than the container neck but will allow a cap to be placed onto the neck.

Abstract: Improved means are described for sealing thin-walled and relatively flexible containers. The improvements are made in straight line sealing machines which include side belt arrangements which encapsulate the filled containers and which also provide means for heating and then for pressing on and for twisting composite closure caps into a finally sealed position on the encapsulated containers.

Abstract: A container capper is provided which includes a container clamping mechanism for clamping previously-filled containers at a capping station that is positioned at a point along a container conveying means. The capper also includes an adjustable speed rotary motor which drives a capper head having a plurality of radially movable, cap-grasper jaws supported therein for grasping caps and rotating them relative to the containers. Motor speed adjustability and torque sensing are provided to give precise control of the amount of torque with which caps are applied to containers. The capper head is vertically movable from an upper, cycle start, position to an intermediate position, at which the jaws thereof may be loaded with a cap, and to a lower position, at which the loaded cap is placed onto the top of a clamped container and is rotated thereon until a predetermined torque is reached. The capper head is moved between its upper, intermediate and lower positions by means of a camming mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying resiliently self-latching lids to upwardly open containers such as molded plastic buckets used to contain powdered or liquid products, in which a supply of generally planar circular lids is supported in a shallow sloping stack in which individual lids are on edge and supported on parallel sloping rails. Lids are released individually into a lid placement guide which may include a reciprocally rotating mechanism to orient each lid to place a pour spout of the lid in proper position relative to a bail of the container. Containers are carried beneath the lid placement guide on an endless belt conveyor to receive lids. A powered presser roll forces the lid into mating relationship with each container, without overturning empty containers receiving the lids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining critical alignments between the neck of a container and closure application stations. The embodiment disclosed illustrates apparatus for handling containers during the process of filling and applying closures to the filled containers. A star wheel with outwardly opening container body pockets and a container guide rail receives filled containers as they are descending from a filling position, and moves the containers through closure pickup and pre-tightening apparatus to a closure applicating machine. A container neck guide receives and guides the necks of filled containers along a predetermined path through the pickup and pre-tightening stations. The neck guide, pickup and pre-tightening stations are supported on the same structure to insure that the predetermined alignment positions are maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining containers against rotation when being moved through operation stations of a cap application process. In the embodiment shown a resilient belt is supported on a star wheel so that a section of the belt subtends an arc of each container receiving pocket in the star wheel. In response to the reception of a container in a pocket the belt section conforms to and wraps around the contour of the container. The belt surface contacting the container exerts a frictional force that is greater than the frictional force applied to the container by guide rails as the star wheel moves the container past the guide rails. The container is thus restrained against rotation within the pocket during the cap application process.

Abstract: A capping machine for applying removable closures to bottles, jars or other containers has a capping head cantilevered (without other support) from a post rising from the machine base, the capping head height being infinitely variable by simple adjustment. The side belts which engage the containers are also infinitely variable for height, being carried by a parallelogram structure pivoted on the capping head body and adjustable by means of a single nut. The cap chute has a pair of retractable rollers to locate the closures at the pick-up point, these rollers being mounted on tension-spring biased cranked levers so pivoted that their lever arm, for movement of the roller axes, makes only a small acute angle with the path of the closures. The sealing shoe is suspended in the capping head by a pair of levers which permit the shoe to rock in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular member over an article includes a supply of individual tubular members. A pair of opposed gripping members that are movable towards and away from each other are disposed on a rotatable pick-up and deposit wheel. As the wheel rotates, the gripping members come together to mechanically grip a tubular member from the supply. A vacuum is connected to the gripping members after they have mechanically gripped the tubular member, and the gripping members are moved apart as the wheel rotates them towards the application station so as to open the tubular member. The article is conveyed to the application station at a speed greater than that of the tubular member such that at the application station, the article meets the tubular member, is threaded therein, and pulls it fully open and around the article by a camming action. The vacuum is then disconnected so that the tubular member rests loosely around the container for further processing such as heat shrinking.

Abstract: This relates to a capper for applying closures to containers. In a packer's plant there is frequently a necessity to modify a capper so as to apply closures to containers of different diameters and different heights with the closures also being different in diameters, thicknesses, etc. In the past, the cappers have been provided with change parts and are in a certain degree adjustable so that a capper can be modified to accept a range of container diameters and heights and closure sizes. However, shut-down time has continued to be an important factor. Further, final adjustment of the capper after modification has been a problem. There has been provided a universal capper which is provided with height and width adjustments for both containers and closures and all of these adjustments may be made while the machine is operating so as to obtain minute adjustments. The changeover time is no longer a factor with the universal capper.

Abstract: This lid fitting machine is designed to efficiently seal a plastic container filled with a food product, with a plastic lid. Primarily, it consists of a frame with a motor driven carrier chain, having feed arms for the transport and placement of lids on the filled containers. It also includes a hopper for containing the multiple number of lids, and it further includes a pair of cams, for the precise operation of lid placement onto the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling and applying formed flanged lids to a carton is disclosed. Inverted lids drop on an upper conveyor belt directly from a forming machine for travel in a first direction. The lids subsequently drop and flip to the desired upright position on a lower conveyor belt for movement toward a lidding station. To prevent over-flipping, the trailing edge is guided by a vertical guide plate. An idler belt is positioned downstream of the second conveyor belt and above the feed path. A lug on the idler belt engages the leading edge of the lid being transferred from the second conveyor belt. The lug holds the lid in proper alignment for driving forwardly by abutting engagement of the carton intersecting with the leading edge of the lid. The idler belt is carried by a pair of idler rollers. An adjustable brake on one of the rollers controls the drag on the belt to restrain the lid and assure positive lidding action on the carton.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically placing large plastic lids onto containers. Lids 24 are dispensed individually from magazine 11 onto slide 33. Each dispensed lid is individually retained at the bottom of the slide 33 for pickup by a container 41. The lid is urged onto the container by a pivoted roller 47 and further leveled by a roller 58 which is extended twice by a pneumatic piston to first contact a leading edge of the lid and to secondly contact a trailing edge of the lid. Thereafter a pneumatically operated lid securement means 61 comprising a convex plate 70' burps the air from beneath the lid and fully seats the lid on the container. The apparatus has various sensing means for sensing the depletion of lids from magazine 11, for sensing that a lid has been dispensed onto slide 33 and for sensing a container at the capping station. The sensing means control the various operations of the machine in proper sequence.

Abstract: This invention provides a pre-tightening mechanism for effecting the initial application of a threaded closure on a threaded bottle neck. The pre-tightening mechanism includes a friction rail for effecting a turning movement of the closure relative to the bottle neck and a spring biased cap hold-down plate which maintains a substantially constant pressure on the closure and maintains the closure panel horizontal during the pre-tightening operation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for applying screw-on caps to containers. The caps are fed down a chute and are engaged by the mouths of containers. Each cap, after it is engaged with the mouth of a container, is pressure-urged down onto the container in a position parallel to the path of movement of the container and is rotated in a screw-off direction. It then moves to a position where it is engaged by another friction device and another hold-down device where it is rotated in a screw-on direction.

Abstract: A sealing machine is disclosed of the type which applies closure caps to containers at extremely high speeds by moving filled containers successively through a cap feeding station, a cap applying station, and a cap sealing station. The machine is characterized by improvements in its several sections which permit it to operate effectively at increased speeds, and at the same time provide for an improved adjustability for differing package sizes. The adjustability provides for independently operable adjustments for the sealing chamber height and for the width and height of the side belts which move the containers through the sealing chamber. Additionally, an improved cap feed is described with a cap feeding star wheel and improved container guiding side belts are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endless horizontal conveyor discharges cartons of necked bottles onto a horizontal tabletop aligned with the endless conveyor insuring carton-to-carton movement of the bottles beneath the discharge end of a gravity chute feeding a series of bottle carriers, individually supplied to the gravity chute from a nested carrier stack onto bottles. The carriers are pulled onto the bottles by movement of the cartons and the bottles carried thereby. A keeper plate adjacent the discharge end of the gravity chute and downstream therefrom insures contact between the tops of the leading end bottles in each carton and the leading end of the carrier. Movement of the carton-contained bottles pulls the carriers from the chute and deposits the carriers in proper position overlying the tops of the bottles to form six-pack or eight-pack groups.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying caps to containers such as glass bottles or vials having a flange at their mouth end and crimping the cap on each container under the flange, in which the containers with caps thereon are gripped at top and bottom in a rotary turret, carried around in a circular path by the turret, spun on their axes as they are carried around by the turret, and the caps are crimped by bringing crimping tools carried by the turret into crimping engagement with the caps.

Abstract: This invention provides a pre-tightening mechanism for effecting the initial application of a threaded closure on a threaded bottle neck. The pre-tightening mechanism includes a friction rail for effecting a turning movement of the closure relative to the bottle neck and a spring biased cap hold-down plate which maintains a substantially constant pressure on the closure and maintains the closure panel horizontal during the pre-tightening operation.