By Screwing Closure On Container Patents (Class 53/490)
  • Patent number: 11047676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the particularly automated measurement of a closing angle of a lid (110) of a container (100) particularly a bottle lid (110) with a screw thread (120) comprising the following steps: a) Positioning of the container (100) and determining of a starting position, b) Turning of the lid (110) from a closing position (I) into the direction of an open position (II) of the lid (110), c) Detection of an open position (II) of the lid (110) and a corresponding open position angle ?, d) Calculation of the closing angle ? of the lid (110) on the basis of the open position angle ? and particularly, a lid parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Steinfurth Mess-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Angres, Martin Falkenstein
  • Patent number: 10543941
    Abstract: A machine and a method are for the automatic preparation of substances for intravenous application. The machine includes a container receiving zone which defines a matrix of individual positions for initial and final containers, and a number of actuators for transferring substances from initial container to final container. Each of the actuators is positioned beneath the zone for receiving initial and final containers, each of the actuators is able to move relatively, independently of the rest of the actuators, and each of the actuators is suitable for receiving and operating injectors with different volumes and degrees of precision in order to remove substances from initial containers and insert them into final containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Kiro Grifols, S.L.
    Inventors: Borja Lizari Illarramendi, Naiara Telleria Garay, Asier Lizarriturri Martiarena, Ana Belen Barrio Jimenez, Amaia Ilzarbe Andres, Jose Ignacio Andres Pineda
  • Patent number: 8931243
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a closure and particularly to a closure of the type known as a sport cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Bernard Guglielmini, Jean-Yves Rognard
  • Publication number: 20150001261
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slider valve assembly for connection to a spout of an aseptically-packaged flexible container for filling and dispensing flowable material. The slider valve assembly comprises a cap member, a valve member, and an outlet member. The cap member has a central opening and is adapted to be secured to the spout of the container. The valve member defines one or more side openings in communication with a central bore, is slidable within the central opening of the cap member and is lockable into a closed or open position. The outlet member is detachably engaged to the valve member and is used for actuating the valve member. The outlet member also defines a hollow interior portion which is in communication with the central bore of the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: James W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8919083
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical storing and dispensing device including a child resistant mode and a non-child resistant mode between the container and the closure. The closure comprises a non-child resistant cap shaped to removeably engage the container and a child-resistant cap shaped to be permanently fixed to the non-resistant cap. The non-child resistant cap and child resistant cap are provided in intentionally varying quantities such that the quantity of child resistant caps is less than the quantity of non-child resistant caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph A. Miceli
  • Patent number: 8915052
    Abstract: A method and a device for screw capping vessels, in particular bottles, by measuring the power consumption of a linear drive system for lifting and lowering the closing head in a pick phase for picking up the respective closing cap and/or in a screw phase for screwing on the closing cap being, and by comparing that measured power consumption with at least one characteristic value of the power consumption to detect an imminent or occurred incorrect closure. In this manner, vessels can be closed at a low error rate and possibly incorrectly closed vessels can be discharged from a continuous product stream at a low error rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Andreas Dewert, Klaus Buchhauser, Günter Frankenberger
  • Patent number: 8904739
    Abstract: A method for closing containers with closures by means of a closing device may include screwing closures onto openings of the containers. For closing the containers, a final torque (Dend) may be prescribed, with which the closing operation is completed, and this final torque (Dend) is less than a maximum torque (Dmax), which is applied at least once during the overall closing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Horst Lang
  • Publication number: 20140319142
    Abstract: A membrane for sealing an open spout of a food package comprises a central circular disc member, an outer annular disc member connected to the central circular disc member along its inner periphery at a connection angle, and a resilient tubular portion extending between a first open end and a second end being connected to the outer annular disc member, the diameter of the second end being smaller than the outer diameter of the annular disc member, wherein the annular disc member is pivotable relative the central circular disc member for increasing the diameter of the second end of the tubular portion by changing the connection angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Göran Johansson, Lennart Stillerud, Bengt Håkansson, Pär Rydberg
  • Patent number: 8869497
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for closing containers (3) having a closure (1), particularly a bottle closing machine. Said machine has at least one closing head (4) displaced in a direction toward a container opening (2) along a displacement path (H) for applying the closure (1). To this end, a prescribed external force (FA) is applied to the closing head (4). According to the invention, the closing head (4) comprises an internal force supporting element (6, 7) supporting the externally applied force (FA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Igor Singur
  • Publication number: 20140263149
    Abstract: A container is provided. The container includes a neck. The neck includes coupling features. A first closure is configured to be coupled to the container by a first coupling feature. A second closure is configured to be coupled to the container by a second coupling feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Portola Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Berge, Mike Xiaoli Ma
  • Publication number: 20140230378
    Abstract: Self-heating containers comprise a reaction chamber and a heating chamber. The heating chamber is sized to contain a substance to be heated. The reaction chamber contains reactants which, when contacted, exothermically react. The reaction chamber is divided into a first compartment and a second compartment with a barrier therebetween. The barrier comprises a first barrier portion and a second barrier portion. The first barrier portion is attached to a reaction chamber wall and has an opening sized to allow reactants to flow through from one compartment to the other. The second barrier portion is attached to the first barrier portion to close the opening. The barrier can be opened by moving an actuator into engagement with the second barrier portion to dislodge the second barrier portion from the first barrier portion and thereby open the barrier. In certain embodiments, the heating chamber can be a can with prepackaged comestible substance therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Heat Wave Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Ford, Douglas Lund
  • Publication number: 20140231376
    Abstract: The packaging system according to the invention comprises a container (1), which includes a neck (2) defining an axis (X-X), and a stopper (10) for closing the neck, which includes a skirt (12) adapted to be fastened removably around the neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Grégory Antier, Andrew Stone
  • Publication number: 20140183196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tamper resistant lid (10) for a container (1). The lid (10) exhibits a centre axis (X) and comprises an outer and an inner member (20, 40). The outer and inner members (20, 40) are further adapted to be substantially prevented from displacement along the centre axis (X) with respect to each other. At least a part of the inner member (40) comprises threads (48) enabling a threaded connection to the container (1) by means of rotating the outer member (20) in a first direction. The lid (10) further comprises at least one stop member (51, 52, 53, 60) preventing the inner member (40) from rotation with respect to the outer member (20). The at least one stop member (51, 52, 53, 60) is adapted to be controllably disabled with a designated force after said inner member (40) has been connected to the container (1), so that the outer member (20) can be freely rotated with respect to the inner member (40) to thereby prevent removal of the lid from the container (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Carmel Pharma AB
    Inventor: Tobias Rosenquist
  • Publication number: 20140158688
    Abstract: A closure for a container is described. The container has an opening through which contents of the container are dispensed and a holding member (255, 285, 295, 305, 315, 316, 317, 340, 350) for cooperating with the closure to retain the closure on the container. A sealing member (220) is configured to sealingly close the container opening. The sealing member includes a retention member (260, 275, 290, 300, 310, 325, 335, 345, 355) engageable with the holding member of the container to retain the sealing member in sealing engagement with the container. A cap member (225) has a top rim and a sidewall depending from the top rim. The sidewall includes an attachment member (160) for attachment to the container and an engagement member (245) that operatively couples the sealing member to the cap member upon placement of the cap member on the container. The cap member is rotatable relative to the container and relative to the sealing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ABBOTT LABORATORIES
    Inventors: Thomas D. Loughrin, Dennis V. Boruszewski, David C. Ulstad, Christopher A. Cox, Mark D. Green, Terrence B. Mazer, Frank S. Walczak, Kenneth M. Cramer, James P. Perry
  • 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: 8617674
    Abstract: A multi-layer sheet designed for the sealing of a container (10) made of glass by heat sealing on the sealing ring (12) of the container treated by means of oxides and/or of metal salts comprises at least a support layer (21) and a lower layer (22) made of a polymeric heat-sealable material onto which is grafted an unsaturated carboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Amcor Flexibles Selestat SAS
    Inventors: Alain Grayer, Guy Boiron
  • Patent number: 8615972
    Abstract: The present invention provides a torque measuring station, comprising a cap-engaging assembly for engaging a cap that has been secured onto a container, a torque measuring assembly for obtaining a measurement indicative of the torque exerted on the cap by the cap engaging assembly and a processing entity in communication with the torque measuring assembly. The processing entity is operative for receiving the measurement indicative of the torque, and for causing the container to be handled, once released from said cap-engaging assembly, on the basis of the measurement indicative of the torque applied to the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Capmatic Ltd.
    Inventors: Loris Bassani, Daniel Vaillancourt
  • Publication number: 20130319968
    Abstract: A plastic closure includes a top wall portion, and an annular depending skirt portion having at least one internal thread formation. In order to facilitate high-speed closure application to an associated container, the closure includes an application guide feature positioned in circumferentially spaced relationship to a thread start of the internal thread formation of the closure. The application guide feature is configured to engage the lower surface of an external thread formation of the associated container, whereby cocking, tilting, and other misalignment of the closure is avoided as it is applied to the container with high-speed application equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: John Edie, Daniel Elliott, Erin Green
  • Patent number: 8590277
    Abstract: The components of a rotary conveyor (1) for a carousel type capping machine (2) include a center shaft aligned on a main axis (X) coinciding with the main axis of the machine (2), a carrier element (4) coupled to the shaft so that the two rotate as one about the main axis (X), and a set of gripper mechanisms (5) associated operationally with the carrier element (4), distributed circumferentially about the supporting shaft. Each gripper mechanism (5) is switchable between a first configuration, establishing a recess (6) in which to accommodate a respective container (3), a second configuration in which the container (3) is retained within the recess (6) by a predetermined gripping force, and a third configuration in which the container (3) is restrained by a gripping force greater than the force exerted in the second configuration, so as to counteract any unwanted rotation of the container (3) about its longitudinal axis (Y) that might be induced during the course of capping operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Baroni, Gianpietro Zanini
  • Publication number: 20130305659
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing packaging, in particular composite packaging for liquid foodstuffs, having a cross-sectional area that decreases in the pour-out direction in the gable region. The packaging is composed of a sleeve having a gable region having a plurality of gable faces and a pouring element. The apparatus has at least one rotatable mandrel wheel having a plurality of mandrels for holding the sleeves. Additionally, a method for producing such packaging and a gable press for use with the aforementioned apparatus. In order to allow easier and more cost-effective production, it is proposed that the apparatus has a gable press, assigned to a single mandrel wheel position, for folding the gable region, for connecting all the gable faces of the gable region of the sleeve to the pouring element and for sealing the protruding ears in the same mandrel wheel position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SIG Technology AG
    Inventors: Christoph Kenn, Ralf Driessen, Thomas Vetten, Michael Heil
  • Patent number: 8495854
    Abstract: A closure cap that is particularly suited for use with plastic containers in packaging malt based beverages such as beer and ale includes an upper portion and a generally cylindrical sidewall that depends downwardly from the upper portion. The cylindrical sidewall defines a threaded inner surface, which permits the closure cap to be threaded onto a threaded finish portion of a container. Most advantageously, the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall is stylized to resemble a conventional crown closure. In the disclosed embodiment this is accomplished by molding a plurality of fluted ribs into the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall. A method of packaging a beverage and a packaging assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas M. Seidita
  • Patent number: 8448800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling a cap (20) of a closure device (9) with an open end (6, 7) of a housing container (5) for forming a container system (1) for body fluids, tissue parts or tissue cultures, whereby a relative rotating or pivoting movement is effected between the cap (20) and the housing container (5) about a common longitudinal axis (14). In order to generate the relative movement, a pressing force (F) is applied to at least one of the components to be assembled directed more or less in the direction of the longitudinal axis (14). The invention further relates to a cap (20) for forming the closure device (9), a housing container (5) and a container system (1) obtained as a result, comprising at least the cap (20), a sealing device (21) device retained in it and the housing container (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Greiner Bio-One GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Konrad
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8316622
    Abstract: A child resistant cap assembly for a bottle is disclosed comprising an inner cap and outer cap. When an external pressure is applied to the outer cap, the teeth on the outer cap engage with the inner cap. While engaged, the cap assembly is rotated in a counter clockwise direction to unfasten or unscrew the cap assembly from the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Shriji Polymers India Limited
    Inventors: Vishnu Jajoo, Anurag Somani
  • Publication number: 20120272624
    Abstract: A cap securing apparatus for rotating a cap relative to a container. The cap securing apparatus comprises a support base supporting a main support, the main support supporting a plurality of arms, and each of the plurality of arms supporting a rotatable wheel adjacent a remote free end thereof. A drive mechanism supplies drive to at least one of the rotatable wheels, supported by the plurality of arms, for inducing rotation thereof. A cap engagement mechanism moves the wheels from a disengaged first position, in which the wheels are spaced from the cap to be one of capped or uncapped with respect to the container, into an engaged second position in which the wheels engage with the cap for inducing rotation of the cap and one of capping the cap to the container and uncapping the cap from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: KINEX CAPPERS LLC
    Inventors: James ARGERIOU, Lawrence J. QUINLAN
  • 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: 8261517
    Abstract: A fuel tank cap including a body, a seal carrier movably positioned within the body, a first seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging a filler tube opening of a fuel tank, and a second seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Evan Waymire, Kenneth A. Watson
  • Patent number: 8209944
    Abstract: A pharmaceutical storing and dispensing device including a child resistant mode and a non-child resistant mode between the container and the closure. The closure comprises a non-child resistant cap shaped to removeably engage the container and a child-resistant cap shaped to be permanently fixed to the non-resistant cap. The non-child resistant cap and child resistant cap are provided in intentionally varying quantities such that the quantity of child resistant caps is less than the quantity of non-child resistant caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tri State Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Miceli, Joseph A. Miceli
  • Patent number: 8196375
    Abstract: A tube capper and decapper and method of using the same. The tube capper includes a handheld housing that supports a one-dimensional array of spindles. Each spindle is shaped to receive a cap. A drive mechanism rotates each spindle of the one-dimensional array in unison for capping or decapping a corresponding one-dimensional array of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Matrix Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Kohanski, Daniel J. Seguin, Joseph DiCarlo, Louis Franzini
  • Publication number: 20120103849
    Abstract: A closure for a container has a plurality of indicia such as date and/or time, disposed on the lid's top surface, with a rotary collar which is adjustable to a fixed position to highlight (select) indicia regarding the contents of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Kevin J. Rachuk, Timothy D. Killinger, Mark A. Luzbetak, Jill M. Hunt, Ashley Ceniceros, Brian J. Warren
  • Publication number: 20120067892
    Abstract: A container system for storing material includes a container and a mating closure having a tamper-evident ring frangibly attached to the closure. The container includes a neck having a container thread and an annular rim for engaging the tamper-evident ring when the closure is removed from the container. In some embodiments, the neck includes one or more retaining structures for engaging the tamper-evident ring during retort sterilization processing, packaging, shipping or handling. The retaining structure in some embodiments includes one or more ramps having multiple inclined surfaces. Each inclined surface is oriented at an acute angle between about five and about forty-five degrees such that the tamper-evident ring can slip past the retaining structure when a threshold removal torque is applied. A method of sealing a container using a tamper-evident container system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Marc S. Velmer, Thomas C. Horton
  • Publication number: 20120017546
    Abstract: A bottle support plate for use in a rotary capping machine to apply caps onto the upper threaded neck of one or more containers having a circular flange as the containers are moved along a generally circular path by a star wheel. The bottle support plate includes a pocket that at least partially supports and at least partially mates with the flange of the container to at least partially inhibit rotation of the container during the threading of a cap on an upper threaded neck of the container. The pocket includes a support ledge having an upper surface, a neck cavity, a ledge wall extending upwardly from the upper surface of said support ledge and a non-smooth surface on upper surface of the support ledge. The ledge wall is designed to be at least partially mateable with at least a portion of an outer peripheral edge of the flange of the container. The neck cavity is designed to receive a portion of a neck of the container that is located below the container flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: MICHAEL H. PERONEK
  • Patent number: 8096099
    Abstract: A torque head assembly and method of capping effective to cap a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps to a spray bottle or container includes a drive roller mounted on a drive gear. The drive gear is in meshed gear communication with a plurality of train gears enclosed within a generally C-shaped driver housing wherein the a distal train gear engages a driven gear upon which a driven roller is mounted. An actuator allows the driver housing of torque head assembly to approach a variety of trigger spray cap bases or common caps within a plane generally horizontal thereto and at least partially co-planar therewith so as to capture the same between the dive roller and the driven roller and to thread mount the same onto the spray bottle or container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Diamond Machine Werks, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter R. Krevald
  • Publication number: 20110265430
    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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy Ulm, John Richard Sink, Eric X. Bonpain, Mark Alan Uebel
  • Publication number: 20110253666
    Abstract: A bottle closure includes a cap having a cylindrical shaped body and a closed end. The bottle closure further includes a liner disposed on an interior surface of the closed end of the cap, the liner for contacting a bottle opening. The closed end of the cap further includes a recess formed therein for urging a central portion of the liner into a bottle opening when applied thereto (e.g., by a bottling press). The bottle closure may further include or have applied thereto a support structure or central mass to support the recess during the bottling process and thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy P. KELLER
  • Publication number: 20110239590
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for processing container closures (2) comprises a sterilization unit (3), having a sterilization module (7) with means for spraying on the closures (2) a hot sterilization fluid, a capping unit (4), having screwing means active on the closures (2) for connecting them on correspondent containers, applying a predetermined torque, a guide member (5) configured in such a way to allow a plurality of closures (2) to be arranged therein and connected to the sterilization unit (3) and to the capping unit (4) to guide the closures (2) from the sterilization unit (3) to the capping unit (4), and means (13) for regulating the temperature of the closures (2) arranged in the guide member (5), to provide that the closures (2) have a predetermined desired temperature in the capping unit (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SIDEL S.P.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Silvestri
  • Publication number: 20110226721
    Abstract: A threaded closure assembly comprising a transition and a cap is disclosed. The threaded closure assembly may be utilized to seal a liquid containing bottle, particularly one containing a liquid fabric composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard Lawrence Horstman, Bradley Scott Neufarth, Kerry Lloyd Weaver, Alfredo Pagan
  • 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: 7987652
    Abstract: A capping head comprising a support adapted to be associated with means arranged within a capper comprising at least two identical working units, which are associated with the support and are motorized in the same direction, each working unit comprising a shaft provided with motor drive means, which is connected, with the interposition of a torque-limited coupling, to a transverse arm adapted to support a rotating roller, both rollers are designed to come into contact with a cap to be screwed onto a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Weightpack S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Corniani
  • Publication number: 20110155687
    Abstract: In a method for the at least partial detachment or separation of a sealing film or foil 14 that is sealingly attached to a rim 11 of a neck 3 of a container, vessel, bottle 1, or the like, which rim 11 has a circular sealing surface 12 and the neck 3 has a male thread 4 and a center axis 5, and a screw cap 7 having a female thread 6 complementary to said male thread 4 is screwed down onto the male thread 4 of the sealed neck 3 whilst the screw cap 7 can be unscrewed at any later point in time, as desired, when the screw cap 7 is unscrewed from the neck 3, said sealing film 14 is at least partially detached from said rim 11 of the neck 3, radially, starting from the periphery of the rim and progressing inwardly toward the center axis 5, to be subsequently lifted off from said rim 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Rainer Ammann
  • Publication number: 20110131933
    Abstract: Apparatus for pressurizing the headspace of a filled plastic bottle while applying a cap includes a sealing ring having a surface for engaging a support ring, or other surface of known dimension, of the plastic bottle, clamping apparatus for moving the sealing ring, a chuck for holding the cap in a position to engage a finish of the plastic bottle, a pressure chamber surrounding the chuck having a sealing surface for contacting the sealing ring, a source of pressure coupled to the pressure chamber for introducing a volume of gas or vapor at super-atmospheric pressure into the chamber, and a motor for rotating the chuck and cap within the pressure chamber while the chamber is subjected to the gas or vapor at super-atmospheric pressure to seal the gas or vapor within the headspace of the filled plastic bottle with the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Darren D. Livingston
  • Patent number: 7926244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method, in a filling machine, of producing a package with a top of plastic which is injection molded in the machine and is capped before the top has become configurationally stable. In the method, the capping, at least during a first introductory phase, takes place in that a cap with internal threads is rotated and the package is displaced linearly in a direction towards the cap in such a manner that it may be ensured that the relationship between the speed of rotation of the cap and the speed of displacement of the package substantially correspond to the thread pitch of the threads in the cap and in corresponding threads on the neck when the threads enter into mesh with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Anders Delén, Thorbjörn Bengtsson
  • Publication number: 20110083405
    Abstract: A method and a device for screw capping vessels, in particular bottles, by measuring the power consumption of a linear drive system for lifting and lowering the closing head in a pick phase for picking up the respective closing cap and/or in a screw phase for screwing on the closing cap being, and by comparing that measured power consumption with at least one characteristic value of the power consumption to detect an imminent or occurred incorrect closure. In this manner, vessels can be closed at a low error rate and possibly incorrectly closed vessels can be discharged from a continuous product stream at a low error rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: ANDREAS DEWERT, KLAUS BUCHHAUSER, GÜNTER FRANKENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20110041465
    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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL PLASTICS AND EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mike Palmer, Nick Kulka
  • Publication number: 20110036839
    Abstract: A plastic screw cap has a threaded top portion and tabs of varying heights disposed around an inner circumference of a lower sleeve-portion. These tabs clasp a land disposed on a container neck to restrain the sleeve portion on the neck when the cap is unscrewed. A threaded top portion mates with threads on the container above the land. A sealing liner and diffusion barrier disposed at the bottle opening, together with a crush-resistant cap structure, prevent wine leakage and control oxygen ingress. Typically, the plastic cap is threaded onto the container neck, forming a tamper-evident seal. When unscrewed, the plastic-cap top moves up the container threads, exerting a pull on the sleeve portion, which is restrained due to the closure tabs acting on the land. Between the closure tabs and the threaded top is a breakaway line, which tears due to the removal forces. This tear evidences tampering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: William A. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20110016828
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing a plastic container by applying a label to a cap, threading the cap on a bottle, and closing dispensing doors on the cap before a heat shrink label sleeve is applied. The label is applied to the cap in a predetermined orientation with respect to the cap and the cap is threaded onto the bottle by a threader wheel adjacent a starwheel that carries caps and bottles in alignment. The dispenser door is closed by a peg that is urged downwardly into contact with the dispenser door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Richard A. Parker, George E. Ervin, William J. Connelly, Daniel R. Perkins, Oscar O. Medina, Kerry T. McColly
  • Publication number: 20100314391
    Abstract: A closure for a container opening according to one embodiment comprises a plug including a series of projections and being constructed and arranged to be received within the container opening and an overcap constructed and arranged for being attached to the plug so as to close off an interior of the plug and create an assembly. The projections being constructed and arranged for interfit with a specialized wrench socket for threadedly advancing the plug into the container opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Gary M. Baughman
  • Patent number: 7845149
    Abstract: A capper/de-capper system 1 has a rack support 10 for supporting a rack 11 containing a plurality of capped tubes 31 in a given position. A head unit 12 supports a two-dimensional array of capping/de-capping spindles 13, each of which includes a clutch 133 and a capping/de-capping spigot 131 or socket, the spindles being aligned with the tube positions defined in the rack. A drive mechanism 108 moves the tubes and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another in use, when a rack containing capped tubes is disposed in the rack support, causing engagement and disengagement of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets with and from the tube caps 32. A spindle drive system 15-22 provides simultaneous rotation of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets together after engagement with the caps, either to detach caps from the tubes or attach caps to the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Automation Partnership (Cambridge) Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Owen, Justin Owen, Adrian Neil Bargh
  • Patent number: 7845148
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of insertion of uniquely shaped packaging elements may include one or more of the following steps: (a) transporting a container along a conveyor, (b) securing the container, (c) aligning a spray cap mechanism over a container opening with a transfer rake assembly, (d) grasping a diptube with a diptube assembly, (e) lowering the diptube assembly and the transfer rake assembly to insert the diptube into the container, (f) securing the container with a timing screw, (g) loading the spray cap mechanism into a sprayer magazine, (h) locking a retractable stop onto the spray cap mechanism, (i) transferring the spray cap mechanism from the sprayer magazine to the transfer rake, (j) locking a second spray cap mechanism with the retractable stop, and (k) retracting the diptube assembly after inserting the diptube into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: PSR Automation Incorporated
    Inventors: David R. Ramnarain, Brian D. Ramnarain, Christopher D. Ramnarain
  • Patent number: 7836669
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying threaded lids to threaded necks of containers, wherein a lid orienting device is disposed in the transport path of the lid for engaging a leading side surface of a projection on the lid to cause the lid, as it moves past the lid orienting device, to rotate to a prescribed angular position relative to the transport path. The thread or threads of the lid then will be positioned in a known orientation when engaged by the lid applying head at the lid transfer station so that the lid applying head can orient the lid in a known positional relationship to the thread or threads of the threaded neck of the container to protect against cross-threading of the lid when screwed onto the threaded neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Sherwin Williams Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Cassil, Paul D. Flint, Curtis S. Shay, James A. Rehak, Marcel Kubascik