Rotary Tool Or Die Patents (Class 53/334)
  • Patent number: 11738899
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical order filling system uses a physical parameter that occurs during attaching cap to a pharmaceutical container to determine if the cap is properly engaged. The physical parameter may be torque on the cap when placed on the container. An order processing device receives a pharmaceutical order and sends the order to a dispensing device that fills the container with a pharmaceutical in the pharmaceutical order. A cap device is configured to apply the cap the container containing the pharmaceutical from the dispensing device, wherein the cap device is configured to sense the physical parameter, e.g., torque, to the cap when applying the cap to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Patent number: 11548771
    Abstract: A chuck for a capping machine includes a plurality of chuck members, a biasing member configured to bias the plurality of chuck members radially inward, an abutting portion configured to abut against a top face of a cap, and a plurality of chuck jaws provided on an inner surface of each of the plurality of chuck members to engage knurls of the cap. Each of the plurality of chuck jaws includes a leading flank and a trailing flank. An angle of the trailing flank with respect to an outer circumference of the cap is less than an angle of the leading flank with respect to the outer circumference of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SHIBUYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuto Nishide, Hiroyoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10000369
    Abstract: A beverage bottle closing machine being configured and disposed to close tops of filled beverage bottles with screw-type and other caps. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Wilhelm, Thomas Schneider, Igor Singur
  • Patent number: 9187304
    Abstract: An apparatus for the closure of containers may include at least one closure head for applying the closures. The at least one closure head is situated in a clean room sealed off by a medium. The apparatus including a movement device arranged at least in part in the clean room. The movement device is configured to produce a rotational movement of the closure head about a longitudinal axis of the movement device and a translational movement of the closure head along the longitudinal axis of the movement device. The movement device is contacted at least locally by the medium for sealing off the clean room from a non-clean room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Lutz Kampmann, Klaus Buchhauser, Patrick Engelhard
  • Patent number: 9052299
    Abstract: A liquid transfer system is disclosed including a transport path that transports a plurality of vials through the liquid transfer system. Each of the plurality of vials has a cap that forms a seal with an open-ended vial body. The liquid transfer system is comprised of a vial capper/decapper assembly that is positioned adjacent to the transport path and includes a plurality of rotatable spindles. Each spindle has a rotatable shaft and a first projection supported by the shaft. The first projection also includes a cam surface that engages a cap of a vial so as to breach the seal and open the vial. The plurality of spindles is rotated simultaneously to simultaneously breach the seals and open the caps of the plurality of vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Capitol Vial, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Jones, Timothy R. Blevins, Robert A. Gabel, Thomas Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8720164
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing containers includes a movable closing head for applying closures to the containers and is arranged in the interior of a sterile chamber of the apparatus and arranged to move in a longitudinal direction (L) of the containers to be closed. At least one wall is provided which delimits the sterile chamber, wherein the closing device is arranged on a carrier which is arranged partially inside the sterile chamber and partially outside the sterile chamber, and extends through the wall and moves in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the wall. Arranged in the interior of the sterile chamber is a first sealing element which is elastic in the longitudinal direction (L) and which seals off from the sterile chamber a region of the outer periphery of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Klaus Buchhauser, Guenter Frankenberger
  • Patent number: 8413410
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a main stage and three clamps. Each of the clamps is pivotally attached to the main stage and rotatable about a respective axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the clamps define an outer circle having a center. Each of the clamps comprises a generally planar body and an arcuate edge and can be used to both center a cap and grip and rotate a vial for attachment of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ulm, John Richard Sink, Eric X. Bonpain, Mark Alan Uebel
  • Patent number: 8375684
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing containers includes a movable closing head for applying closures to the containers and is arranged in the interior of a sterile chamber of the apparatus and arranged to move in a longitudinal direction (L) of the containers to be closed. At least one wall is provided which delimits the sterile chamber, wherein the closing device is arranged on a carrier which is arranged partially inside the sterile chamber and partially outside the sterile chamber, and extends through the wall and moves in the longitudinal direction (L) relative to the wall. Arranged in the interior of the sterile chamber is a first sealing element which is elastic in the longitudinal direction (L) and which seals off from the sterile chamber a region of the outer periphery of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Klaus Buchhauser, Guenter Frankenberger
  • Publication number: 20120324838
    Abstract: A hand-held closure tool for closing a container. Based on the design of the inventive closure tool, a pair of wheels provides two points of contact between the closure tool and the container peripheral flange. This design feature stabilizes the closure tool as the container is moved in a circular fashion. The stability of the closure tool against the peripheral flange of the container enables the closure tool movement to be accomplished in a single, continuous motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Oriya KLEIN
  • Patent number: 8291681
    Abstract: A mechanism for tightening a partially threaded cap on a container passing along a production line. The mechanism includes a first member having a first end and a second end. The first end being structured to be coupled at or near the production line and the second end being rotatable with respect to the first end. The mechanism further including a second member coupled to the second end of the first member and rotatable therewith. The second member having a plurality of cap engaging portions, each of the cap engaging portions being structured to engage the partially threaded cap on a container passing along the production line in a manner that tightens the partially threaded cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: International Plastics and Equipment Corp.
    Inventors: Mike Palmer, Nick Kulka
  • Patent number: 7992365
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Alan Uebel, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Jasper Pollard, John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, Tobias Heineck
  • Patent number: 7836664
    Abstract: Screw caps (2) are fitted to the necks of respective containers (3) by a unit comprising a carousel equipped with a platform on which the containers are placed, a frame positioned above the platform, and a drive system by which the platform and the frame are set in rotation about a main vertical axis. The unit comprises at least one screw capping device (7) associated with the rotating frame of the carousel, located above a respective container (3) and equipped with a gripping mechanism (9) lockable onto the cap (2) of the container, also a first motion-inducing linkage (25) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is caused to rotate about an axis (Y) parallel to the main vertical axis, and a second motion-inducing linkage (37) by which the gripping mechanism (9) is moved toward or away from the respective cap (2). The screw capping device (7) is packaged internally of a box-like body (10) associated removably with the rotating frame and housing the gripping mechanism (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro Zanini, Marco Baroni
  • Patent number: 7770358
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the securing of a cap onto a cylindrical container includes a base and a plurality of blades, each of the blades including a sharp edge and being mounted to the base such that the sharp edge is exposed. The blades are mounted in a generally circular arrangement, with the sharp edges generally radiating from a central portion of the base, such that the sharp edges are positioned to engage a circumferential edge of a cap as it is being secured to the cylindrical container. In this configuration, the apparatus can firmly hold the cap as the cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) is rotated to secure the cap onto the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Richard Sink, Demetris P. Young, James Robert Rivenbark, Jr., Mark Alan Uebel, Jody DuMond
  • Patent number: 7735301
    Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Richard Sink, Richard D. Michelli, Charles H. Guthrie, Joseph C. Moran, Jr., Demetris P. Young
  • Publication number: 20100018155
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a cover film to a blister film having blisters holding respective small objects has a feed roll rotatable about an axis and formed with an array of radially outwardly open recesses arrayed like the blisters of the blister film. The blister film passes over the feed roll with the blisters in the recesses. A sealing roll is rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the feed-roll axis and presses the cover foil down against the blister foil on the feed roll. The feed roll is rotated to pull the films in a travel direction between the rolls so that the cover film is sealed to the blister film between the blisters thereof. A sensor detects movement of the sealing roll transversely of the feed-roll axis. A controller generates an output when the detected movement exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Lutz FORST, Andreas ARMBRUSTER, Tobias BIEGER
  • Patent number: 7596932
    Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Richard Sink, Richard D. Michelli, Charles H. Guthrie, Joseph C. Moran, Jr., Demetris P. Young
  • Patent number: 7581373
    Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Parata Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Richard Sink, Richard D. Michelli, Charles H. Guthrie, Joseph C. Moran, Jr., Demetris P. Young
  • Publication number: 20090205289
    Abstract: An apparatus for ring-sealing closure elements on respective containers and provided with a rotating turret, for supporting and holding containers and the respective closure elements, and comprising a ring-sealing arrangement movable in relation to containers for deforming an edge of closure elements on the periphery of the necks of containers; the ring-sealing arrangement is engaged with a cam by means of an articulated arrangement; the cam is movable in relation to turret along a direction of adjustment for adjusting a position of ring-sealing arrangement in relation to containers and comprises a cylindrical cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: A-PACK TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventor: Paolo Tacchini
  • Publication number: 20090199510
    Abstract: A crimping device for crimping a cap around a flange of a container is provided. The crimping device comprises a disc having a first disc member and a second disc member adjacent the first disc member, wherein the second disc member extends outwardly beyond the first disc member and has a hardness lesser than that of the container and a motion device for producing a relative movement between the disc and the flange of the container so as to effect crimping of the cap around the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG
    Inventor: Jean Hertzog
  • Publication number: 20080202069
    Abstract: A device is provided for interconnecting a support and a connector through a quick release mechanism. The quick release mechanism is normally biased in the locked position and is configured to automatically move from the unlocked position back to the locked position when the connector mates with the support as a user re-connects the unit back to the support. Methods of releasing and re-connecting the unit to the support are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Michael J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7347032
    Abstract: Described herein is a capping head for the application of caps on bottles or containers, in which the capping head is enclosed within a casing having an end mouth that engages the bottle or the container during application of the cap so as to define a closed chamber, within which the capping head is contained. Said closed chamber is set in communication with a source of vacuum so as to empty the bottle or container of the air contained therein before completion of application of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Arol SpA
    Inventor: Sergio Cirio
  • Patent number: 7171795
    Abstract: The bag-manufacturing and packaging machine transverse sealing mechanism is for a bag-manufacturing and packaging machine that makes bags by sealing a tubular packaging material longitudinally and transversely while also filling the bags with items to be packaged. The transverse sealing mechanism functions to thermally seal the packaging material in a transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the direction in which the packaging material is conveyed. The transverse sealing mechanism is equipped with a plurality of sealing jaws and an adjusting part. The plurality of sealing jaws rotate about a rotational axis and execute thermal sealing by making contact with the tubular packaging material. The adjusting part adjusts a relative distance between the sealing jaws. The bag-manufacturing and packaging machine transverse sealing mechanism readily accommodates different bag sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Kondo, Yukio Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6890140
    Abstract: A seam adjuster for ensuring that a tight seam is formed between a can end and a can body. The seam tool (32) is mounted via bearing (34) on the seam lever (31), the centre of the bearing being eccentric to its outside diameter. The bearing has an-external thread (35) which mates with a complementary worm mechanism (36). By virtue of the eccentricity, rotation of the worm mechanism rotates the bearing and moves the seam tool radially for adjusting seam tightness. Seam tool height is set by a spacer (33) or shim which is readily interchangeable for varying the seam tool height without affecting seam tool tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Egerton, Miles Waterworth
  • Publication number: 20040237471
    Abstract: A system for sealing threaded containers. The system includes a clutch-free spindle assembly which is easily disassembled and cleaned. The special interface between the exterior surface of the cap an the gripping jaws of the chuck allow the system to operate without the moving parts and complications that attend the use of clutch. The spindle assembly features an easily adjustable stop arm and a quick release pin for removing and cleaning the chuck. The chuck has several passageways for the rapid infusion of cleaning fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hidding, Joseph E. Bashour
  • Publication number: 20020108350
    Abstract: A take-out food container closure tool including a roller portion comprised of an interior conical member having a narrow inner end and a wide outer end. The roller portion includes an outer wheel portion secured to the wide outer end of the interior conical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Sutowski
  • Patent number: 6367301
    Abstract: A crimping apparatus, comprising a revolving turret supporting a plurality of crimping heads, each crimping head operative to engage a closure on a container to create a crimp in the closure. The crimping head includes a cam follower riding on a stationary cam. The movement imparted by the cam profile to the cam follower is communicated to a crimping tool that engages the closure. The cam defines a plurality of cam follower receiving positions, each position establishing a different profile. The cam can be selectively displaced relative to the revolving turret to alter the position at which the cam follower engages the cam and thus the profile followed by the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Capmatic Ltd.
    Inventor: Lavinio Bassani
  • Patent number: 6296726
    Abstract: Sealed synthetic resin containers are spin welded by bringing opposed, generally complimentary horizontal mating surfaces of the lid and bowl into contact under a predetermined axial pressure and rapidly accelerating rotation of the lid relative to the bowl while maintaining substantially the axial pressure to produce melting of the mating surfaces until a desired torque value is attained. Thereafter, the rotation of the lid is immediately decelerated to terminate the rotation and allow the mating surfaces to bond. Generally, the torque is monitored repeatedly during the accelerating rotation until a plateau is reached and the accelerating step is continued for at least 50 milliseconds thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Silgan Containers Corporation
    Inventor: John Pencak
  • Patent number: 5911552
    Abstract: A seaming dimension adjusting device in a double seaming apparatus for double seaming a can by successive action of a first seaming roller and a second seaming roller, said seaming apparatus including a seaming chuck, a seaming roller shaft, first and second seaming rollers mounted on a lower end portion of said seaming roller shaft and a double seaming cam which actuates an upper end portion of said seaming roller shaft for shifting said first seaming roller and said second seaming roller either toward or away from said seaming chuck, wherein said seaming dimension adjusting device comprises a double seaming cam having a profile face, including a first seaming cam having a maximum displacement section of said first seaming roller and a second seaming cam having a maximum displacement section of said second seaming roller, at least one of said first seaming cam and said second seaming cam has a seaming cam adjusting means for adjusting the displacement of the maximum displacement section of the seaming roller
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shimizu, Yasuyoshi Ina, Yoshihiko Kimura
  • Patent number: 5884450
    Abstract: A capping assembly includes at least one tube fixed to a spindle of an automatic machine and provided with a piston and cylinder unit for axially displacing a bush operatively connected with the tube and formed with a shaped recess to releasably engage a respective formation on a cup support upon displacement of the piston in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Ronchi Mario S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Ronchi
  • Patent number: 5533317
    Abstract: The rolling head is provided with a plurality of presser rollers adapted to act elastically on the cap, each presser roller being supported at the end of a respective rocker that is pivoted to a cylindrical support rigidly coupled to a rotating body of the head. The rockers are subjected to the action of a plurality of respective springs reacting against a contrast ring slideably and axially mounted on the rotating body of the head and fixable in position by means of an abutment ring in order to simultaneously adjust the tension of the plurality of springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Robino & Galandrino S.p.A.
    Inventor: Agostino Galandrino
  • Patent number: 5505572
    Abstract: A sealed container in which a container body having a ring-like shape and a hollow portion at the center includes opening portions on which a cap member of a similar ring-like shape is attached. The container body is sealed when the annular groove portions of a cap member clamp inner and outer edges of opening portions of the ring-like shaped container body and are secured on inner and outer peripheral surfaces of each of these edges. The can member therefore can be easily attached on the container body so that sealing operation can be effected smoothly and mass-production can be achieved. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing such a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Kayaku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hikoichiro Fujimori, deceased
  • Patent number: 5390471
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crimping head that comprises at least one crimping roller for crimping the lid of a food can. The roller is guided along a path that surrounds the can by means of a support piece that includes a hub rotatable about the axis of the crimp head, together with a head carrying a stub axle on which both a cylindrical wheel running on a cam surface and a bulging wheel running on a counter-cam surface are mounted about a common axis, the counter-cam surface being inclined at a small angle. The position of the stub axle together with the wheels is adjustable along the axis so as to take up any slack in guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Hema Technologies
    Inventor: Jean-Charles Marchadour
  • Patent number: 5358369
    Abstract: In a can seamer, after a control mode of a drive motor has been switched to a type-changing mode, if an action button is depressed, in response to signals issued from a rotational position sensor, the drive motor moves can seaming mechanisms one pitch by one pitch via a center shaft and stops at predetermined positions. At the stopped position, an actuator is operated to depress the top end of a seaming roll shaft. By this operation, a gap clearance is formed between a rotary frame and a seaming lever. When seaming rolls are dismounted and replaced, the seaming lever connected with a seaming chuck via a bracket is removed, and thereby a type-changing work can be carried out. In addition, in the type-changing work of the can seamer, the vertical positional adjustment in a fitting between a seaming lever and seaming rolls is easily carried out. Furthermore, the knock-out pad can be replaced in a one-touch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Katou, Hirofumi Itoh, Seiki Tamiya, Masateru Takahara
  • Patent number: 5328314
    Abstract: The device includes a compression stand on which a food can is placed and which is driven with vertical translation motion by a telescopic rod under the control of a cam-follower roller engaged in a cam track. During the upstroke of the rod, its two component elements are hydraulically locked together by the presence of oil in an intermediate chamber that is closed. At the top end of the stroke, the oil can escape through a passage, thereby releasing a spring which determines the force with which the can is pressed against the stationary mandrel while the lid is actually being crimped thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Hema Technologies
    Inventor: Jean-Charles Marchadour
  • Patent number: 5320469
    Abstract: In a can seamer, after a control mode of a drive motor has been switched to a type-changing mode, if an action button is depressed, in response to signals issued from a rotational position sensor, the drive motor moves can seaming mechanisms one pitch by one pitch via a center shaft and stops at predetermined positions. At the stopped position, an actuator is operated to depress the top end of a seaming roll shaft. By this operation, a gap clearance is formed between a rotary frame and a seaming lever. Then seaming rolls are dismounted and replaced. The seaming lever connected with a seaming chuck via a bracket is removed, and thereby a type-changing work can be carried out. In addition, in the type-changing work of the can seamer, the vertical positional adjustment in a fitting between a seaming lever and seaming rolls is easily carried out. Furthermore, the knock-out pad can be replaced in a one-touch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Churyo Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Katou, Hirofumi Itoh, Seiki Tamiya, Masateru Takahara
  • Patent number: 5111635
    Abstract: An arrangement for closing bottles comprises a rotor arranged to move bottles over a partially circular path, a flanging device provided with a flanging element arranged to engage with lower edges of caps to be placed on the bottles, bottles gripping elements connected with the rotor and arranged to rotate the bottles about their own axes and also to disengage the bottle from the flanging element, the flanging element including a centrally arranged disc having a ringshaped part with a peripheral edge engageable with the cap, the disc having an axis which extends parallel and is eccentric relative to an axis of the rotor, and the disc being arranged so that the partially circular path of the bottles extends around the peripheral edge of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Firma Groninger & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Fritz Neber
  • Patent number: 4784709
    Abstract: A spin welding apparatus is employed for hermetically sealing seamless overpacks. The seamless overpacks are utilized, for example, for isolating corroding 55 gallon drums which contain hazardous materials. The overpacks include a receiver which contains the 55 gallon drum and a cover which is spin welded onto the receiver. The receiver and cover have circular welding surfaces which oppose one cover which is spin welded onto the receiver. The receiver and cover have circular welding surfaces which oppose one another across a horizontal plane. The welding surfaces have a composition of heat fusible plastic. During the spin welding process, the cover is rotationally driven by the spin welding apparatus while simultaneously being forced downward onto the receiver, which is held stationary. Frictional heat melts the opposing welding surfaces. After the rotational motion stops, the opposing welding surfaces cool and solidify to form a seamless weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Environmental Protection Polymers, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel L. Unger, Rodney W. Telles, Hyman R. Lubowitz
  • Patent number: 4662153
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying container caps of different sizes to containers includes a main housing arranged for rotation by a driving spindle, an upwardly biased cam rod coaxially disposed relative to the spindle and movable reciprocably, a releasable holding device normally restraining the cam rod against upward movement, a transverse cam follower shaft mounted in a transverse passage formed in the cam rod and having outwardly projecting ends, on which a pair of cam followers are rotatable, a main cam fixed in position relative to the main housing and disposed about the cam rod and having opposed vertical cam tracks in which the outwardly projecting cam followers are disposed, a helix cam arranged for limited angular movement and disposed about the cam rod and within the main cam and having opposed helical cam tracks in which the outwardly projecting ends of the transverse cam followers are disposed whereby limited angular movement is imparted to the helix cam by the biasing means upon release of the cam rod by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: Mitchell S. Wozniak
  • Patent number: 4511044
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the integrity of a sealed container closure assembly wherein the closure is secured to the container by a force applying member and the integrity is determined by converting the force used to secure the closure into a force signal and comparing the force signal to a reference signal, which is reflective of the force used during a closure operation which resulted in seal integrity. The force signal which comprises a series of electrical signals is compared to a series of corresponding reference signals or is a single signal compared to a reference signal at a plurality of points during the closure operation. An indicator is used to indicate when a preselected number of acceptable or non-acceptable comparisons are reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: The West Company
    Inventors: John T. Connor, Charles P. Halsted, Jacob Ravn
  • Patent number: 4232500
    Abstract: A capper chuck is disclosed for applying a closure cap to a container by conforming an annular skirt on the closure against an external conformation, such as a thread and pilfer ring, on the container. The capper chuck includes a plurality of support arms mounted on a rotatable housing for pivotal movement about pivot axes transverse to the axis of the housing, each support arm having a forming roller rotatably mounted thereon for movement to engage the skirt of the closure upon actuation of the support arms by an axial cam plunger. The forming roller support arms are adapted to accommodate oversize closure caps and containers without damaging the closure caps, containers or forming rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: John H. Holstein
    Inventor: John H. Holstein
  • Patent number: 4226652
    Abstract: A container sleeve 1 having an inner coating 5 of a heat weldable plastics material is fitted with a closure element 2 having a collar 4 of meltable plastics material. The assembly is rotated while a hot welding shoe 35 is inserted through the open end of the sleeve and brought to bear against the collar, which melts the latter and fuses it to the tackified coating 5 to thereby provide a tightly sealed joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Assi Can Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Rolf Berg
  • Patent number: 4221105
    Abstract: In applying an unthreaded metal closure to the threaded neck of a bottle by the use of profiled thread rollers to shape the skirt of the closure shell into conformity with the bottle thread while the shell is pressed down on the mouth of the bottle, the part of the skirt in which the thread is formed is engaged during the thread-rolling operation by at least one plain roll angularly displaced with respect to the thread rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Assignee: Metal Closures Limited
    Inventor: John H. Guest
  • Patent number: 4219986
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Perry Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Osterhaus
  • Patent number: 4180959
    Abstract: A machine for sealing food containers is disclosed which includes a horizontal base and support means attached to the base for supporting a container to be sealed. A ring is attached to the support means which ring has a first indentation forming a concentric circle with the ring and on the surface of the ring. A second indentation lies within the first indentation. A first horizontally extending arm is pivotally linked to the base for allowing vertical movement of the arm. A vertically extending arm is attached to such first horizontal arm and extends downward and is centered within the ring. A disk is attached at its center to the vertical arm. Such disk has a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the ring but less than the outside diameter of the ring. A vertical sleeve encircles the vertically extending arm and is rotatable about such vertical extending arm. A second horizontal arm is attached to the vertical sleeve and is also rotatable about the vertical arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventors: Robert P. Hempel, Jr., Elder Rondelli
  • Patent number: 4102113
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for selectively supplying and placing a generally planar cover of selected peripheral configuration over a cooperative opening for container while the container is in motion where the opening is surrounded by an outwardly directed generally horizontal cover receiving first flange means where the first flange has an upwardly extending peripheral second flange adapted to fully receive the cover within the second flange so the opening to the container is surrounded by the first flange which is adapted to receive and support the cover around the peripheral edges of the cover within the second flange including: conveyor means to move the container along a selected axis at a relatively constant first velocity with the opening upwardly directed; cover supply means to supply a cover to engage the first flange and in a direction generally parallel to the direction of travel of the container from a location above the moving container so the cover is received on the first flange means within the sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Raque Food Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn F. Raque, Edward A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4087952
    Abstract: A crimping mechanism for an electric capping machine has a rapidly adjustable threaded ferrule and a crimping head base with a calibrated bracket, enabling the operator to simplify adjustments for changes in container size. The crimping roller is mounted to exert a substantially constant pressure against the container cap, and thereby increase its crimping efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: National Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip E. Spies
  • Patent number: 4067279
    Abstract: A device for manually crimping metal caps of the type commonly used for medical solution bottles. The crimper takes the form of a generally cylindrical body dimensioned to be held in the hand and defining a cavity open at its bottom and along a portion of its side to receive the neck of a bottle upon which an uncrimped metal cap has been placed. A shoulder within the cavity bears against the skirt of the cap and, as the crimper is rotated relative to the bottle, the bottom of the skirt is turned inwardly to secure the protective cap upon the bottle neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Lester, John F. Cromelin, James M. Davenport
  • Patent number: 3964234
    Abstract: An electric capping machine for crimping the caps of containers, in which each cycle of operation takes place fully automatically, once initiated by the operator; in the course of each operation, a container-receiving member is automatically raised into engagement with a spring-loaded abutment roller of the crimping mechanism which, upon further upward movement, causes the crimping roller to be positively brought into engagement with the edge of the cap by the use of a quadrilateral linkage connection actuated by a cam follower; to increase the safety to the operating personnel, both hands must be placed in a predetermined position relative to the machine before the cycle of operation can be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: Sidney Rosen
    Inventor: Richard F. Hurst
  • Patent number: 3953957
    Abstract: The specification and claims disclose a method and apparatus for performing two manufacturing steps substantially simultaneously during the formation of a caulking tube cartridge. In general, the disclosed method includes the steps of providing a generally cylindrical anvil member adapted to be received in the piston end of the caulking tube; providing a flange ring member including a cylindrical open-ended section having a radially-extending flange; and, providing a protective cap adapted to snap on the nozzle end of the caulking tube. The open-ended section of the flange ring is positioned in the piston end of the tube with the flange overlying the end of the tube. The cap is axially aligned with the tube, and a force is applied to move the tube onto the anvil member. The force is sufficient to snap the cap onto the tube. Thereafter, the tube is rotated and the flange portion is deformed into a bead engaging the end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: Century Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Don R. Brothers, Edwin D. Stewart